Jeypore: In the upcoming Kharif season, potato cultivation will be carried out on 6,000 hectares of land in Koraput district. The state government has taken this step to address the potato shortage. According to Agriculture Department Principal Secretary Dr. Aravind Padhee, preparations at the district level have been completed.
Speaking as the chief guest at the ongoing regional agricultural machinery exhibition at Dashahara Padia, Dr. Padhee stated that climate change is affecting agricultural activities. Previously, the temperature in Koraput did not rise significantly in February or March. If environmental protection is not prioritized, the situation may become unmanageable in the future. Proper timing and location are crucial for farming; otherwise, good production will not be achieved.
To reduce farmers’ labor, the government is prioritizing agricultural machinery. While laborers were previously available, it is now difficult to find them. In 2001, agricultural machinery usage was 0.62 kilowatts per hectare, which, due to state government efforts, increased to 2.48 kilowatts per hectare by 2023—almost a fourfold rise in 20 years. Efforts are underway to increase the input to 2.72 kilowatts per hectare by 2030. Various agricultural machines will be provided with loans and subsidies. Women in self-help groups (SHGs) will receive a 75% subsidy.
To support the preservation and marketing of harvested crops, the state government has introduced a new cold storage policy, which will be effectively implemented for farmers’ benefit. Dr. Padhee encouraged farmers to use modern agricultural equipment displayed at the exhibition. He emphasized that mechanized farming can lead to higher profits.
During the event, several outstanding farmers under the Chief Minister’s Agricultural Entrepreneurship Scheme were honored, including Dambaru Dhar Jani, Trinath Gadaba, Purushottam Lamata, Subhendu Patra, Vishnu Chandra Bisoyi, Lakshmi Charan Mali, Rabindranath Praharaj, Trinath Bisoyi, Sushant Kumar Nial, Simanchal Nayak, and Savitri Mandingi. They received certificates of appreciation and incentives from Agriculture Secretary Dr. Padhee.
Among the attendees were Jeypore Sub-Collector Akabharam Sasya Reddy, Koraput Agricultural Executive Engineer Santosh Kumar Mishra, Koraput District Chief Agricultural Officer Gokul Chandra Pradhan, District Agricultural Officer Lochan Chandra Majhi, Deputy Director of Horticulture Mudam Chandra Bishwal, BDO Shakti Mahapatra, and Tehsildar Sabyasachi Jena.