Bhubaneswar: Delivering a stern message to the administration, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo warned officials of the Directorate of Horticulture to approach their responsibilities with complete seriousness and dedication.
Addressing field officers and senior leadership at the State-Level Conference for Horticulture Officers at Krushi Bhawan, the Deputy Chief Minister cautioned officials not to view the Minister as a mere rubber stamp, making it clear that accountability and direct oversight will define the government’s approach.
Emphasizing a hands-on administration, Shri Singh Deo instructed officials to step out of their offices, regularly conduct field visits, and engage directly with farmers to understand ground realities. He warned that callousness toward public grievances or negligence in implementing agricultural schemes would not be tolerated.
He urged officers to ensure that modern farming techniques, quality inputs, and government subsidies reach grassroots cultivators without delay, stressing that the growth of Odisha’s horticulture sector relies on proactive execution rather than routine administrative compliance.
In addition to warning officers against complacency, the Deputy Chief Minister reviewed key strategic priorities to strengthen the state’s horticulture ecosystem. Discussions focused on scaling up crop diversification, improving cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure, and implementing farmer-centric programs designed to raise rural incomes and build climate resilience across districts.
Reinforcing the call for reform, Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Shri Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav advised officers to work with genuine empathy and diligence.
Speaking from his own roots in a farming family, Shri Jadhav reminded officials that agricultural policies are meant to serve the livelihoods of actual farmers, which requires constant feedback from field officers.
The conference was attended by the Director of Horticulture along with officers from across the state, who committed to aligning field operations with the state’s vision for sustainable agricultural development.