NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Dr Arvind Panagariya has urged the Odisha Government to set up a Taskforce on Agriculture in lines with the Centre. In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Dr Panagariya said the Aayog at the Centre has already established a Taskforce on Agriculture, which would submit its final report by June 30 this year. Odisha needs to set up a State-level Taskforce to address the issues of low production and declined productivity in agriculture sector and thereby to help bring the Green Revolution in this eastern and rain-fed region of the country, the letter read.
The Vice-Chairman emphasised on addressing problems of the small and marginal farmers as they are facing tough time due to natural calamities and adverse weather conditions. “New initiatives are needed to promote horticulture, vegetables, livestock, poultry and fishery among farmers,” the letter said. He said Taskforce should suggest ways for water harvesting, micro-irrigation and integrated watershed management to sort out water problems. Besides, use of efficient fertilizers, improving of soil health and distribution of soil health cards should be emphasised, Dr Panagariya said. Besides, he said the Taskforce should suggest for a unified marketing system in the sector. Easy linkage between food processing industries and farmers should be worked out, he said.
Also, the Taskforce should suggest for improvements in seed quality, livestock, fishery, research and extension, land holding and consolidation, credit and finance and crop insurance. The Taskforce should send its report by 15 June, said the letter.