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In an effort to empower farmers and enhance agricultural productivity, civil society organisations (CSOs), namely Odisha Shramajeebee Mancha, Mahila Shramajeebee Mancha, and Atmashakti Trust, organised a press conference to demand the provision of seeds for the upcoming second crop by mid-October, organising special Gram Sabha on Agriculture and resolving farmers’ registration issues on Krushak portal.Key Demands
Seed Allocation for Rainfed Land: According to official statistics provided by the Odisha Government, a significant portion of paddy crop land—16.3 lakh (out of 35.44 lakhs) hectares—is non-irrigated or rainfed. Due to the lack of irrigation facilities, most of the farmlands remain fallow in the Rabi (Winter) season. Because of a single crop, farmers cannot benefit from Agriculture. To ensure the productivity of this land, the CSOs call upon the government to allocate seeds for these 16.3 lakh hectares by October 15th so that farmers can do a second crop.Our recent survey has revealed the significant impact of the Odisha government’s Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme on second crop farming in the state.
The study covered 4,003 farmers across 13 blocks in Gajapati, Boudh, Nabarangpur, and Deogarh districts in Odisha. It examined six major seed crops: Green Gram, Black Gram, Arhar, Horse Gram, Mustard, and Chickpea. The study findings revealed that the RKVY scheme not only promoted sustainable agriculture practices but also helped enhance farmer income, sustained soil fertility and added increased protein diets in their food plates.
Specialised Gram Sabha on Agriculture: Implementing the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme in Odisha has been a successful boon for farmers adopting the second crop. However, several issues continue to plague farmers, including inadequate irrigation facilities, lack of timely distribution of seeds, and a large number of farmers who still need to be registered in the Krushak Portal. Therefore, it is crucial to involve local stakeholders in the planning and implementing of development projects at the village level to align development plans with local needs and aspirations. So, a Special Gramsabha on October 2nd can serve as an opportunity to address vital agricultural issues and secure approvals for crucial agricultural demands.
Simplified Farmer Registration Process: The CSOs emphasize the need to streamline the farmer registration process on the Krushak portal and ensure that it is free of charge. By simplifying the process and removing any associated fees, farmers can gain unimpeded access to existing government benefits, including essential seeds. The CSOs urge the government to actively engage in a drive to facilitate this registration process.
During the media briefing, Mr. Anjan Pradhan, the Convenor of Odisha Shramajeebee Mancha, shared “if our demands are met, it will increase farmers’ income through enhanced production and access to nutritious food improve farmers’ income. We have discussed with esteemed figures such as Hon'ble Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, as well as concerned Ministers and a substantial group of over 20 MLAs on these issues and we are optimistic that the state government would be receptive to their appeals.”
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