Bhubaneswar: Odisha is taking a decisive step towards the nation’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) in pulses, following a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo yesterday.
Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment outline the talking points. The meeting focused on an intensive agriculture program for the revival and sustainable intensification of “forgotten foods,” with a special emphasis on significantly boosting the state’s pulse production.
The Deputy CM, who also holds the portfolio for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, announced a strategy to promote the cultivation of Pigeonpea, Black gram, and Lentils through a targeted cluster approach across the state.
The Deputy CM, who also holds the portfolio for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, announced a strategy to promote the cultivation of Pigeonpea, Black gram, and Lentils through a targeted cluster approach across the state. The move is aimed at achieving self-reliance and positioning Odisha as a potential “seed hub” for pulses.
A key focus of the intensive program is the introduction of a new, highly resilient variety of pigeonpea, ICPV25444, developed by ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics).1 This variety is touted as a game-changer due to its all-season nature, ability to withstand intense heat up to 2$45^{\circ}$ Celsius, and a short maturity period of just 120 days.3
Shri Singh Deo advised the Odisha State Seeds Corporation Ltd. (OSSC) to promote the cultivation of ICPV25444 alongside the state’s traditional, yet now lesser-cultivated (forgotten) pigeonpea varieties, specifically naming Dangararani and Kandula. The OSSC will play a crucial role in ensuring the availability and distribution of quality seeds, both modern and traditional.
The meeting saw active participation from key agricultural leaders, including Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, who has taken the lead in translating the vision into an implementable strategy.
He was joined by Director Agriculture Shri Shubham Saxena, Director Horticulture Shri Kalunge Gorakh Waman, and senior officers from various state agricultural directorates, as well as representatives from research powerhouses ICRISAT and ICARDA.
The collaborative effort underlines the commitment to leveraging science and policy to transform the state’s pulse sector and enhance farm livelihoods.