In a step towards enhancing farmers’ income, Principal Advisor to Chief Minister and WODC Chairman Asit Tripathy on Tuesday directed the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department to focus on agri-business and argo-enterprises.
He was reviewing such programmes of department wherein Additional Chief Secretary and Production Commissioner Raj Kumar Sharma outlined issues for discussion. Sharma highlighted need to build infrastructural support for promotion of agriculture and allied activities.Tripathy said, “Agro-enterprises with market linkage will bring real transformation in rural sector. It will make sector more rewarding and attractive for youths.” He added, “Each district has its own potential.
Because of supportive business climate and promising returns, many private entrepreneurs have entered into agro-enterprises in districts under Western Odisha Development Council (WODC). They need handholding support.”Tripathy directed that field level officers be oriented to be in touch with such private entrepreneurs and support them as per their requirements. Easy credit support, market linkage and technical advisory would be of great help for big changes in this sector, he said. Further, Tripathy directed the department to make a State-wide assessment of the current presence and potential of the private sector investment in these sectors.
He advised officers to take into account production and marketing of private enterprises who might not have come to Government for availing any subsidy.
The officers were asked to come out of “silos of implementing Governmental programmes only and explore possibilities available in this large sector”. Tripathy also directed the officers “to work with winners in private sector” so that others could be motivated to take up similar ventures. On present scenario, Principal Secretary Saurabh Garg said, “A progressive State Agriculture Policy is in operation from January 2020.
A comprehensive approach comprising themes like agri-business, warehousing, farm-level basic processing unit, promotion of farmer producer organisation, agriculture marketing intelligence, procurement of oil seeds, skill training for value addition, linking farmer with trading organisations is being followed under policy. Garg said that around 61.80 lakh hectares of land is under cultivation, out of which around 13.60 lakh hectares is under horticultural crops. Presently, 34 seafood processing units, 36 lemon grass extraction units and 16 cashew processing units are operating in the State.
Potential agro-and food processing cultures have been identified. A ‘One district and one product’ list has also been prepared for development of food processing units and marketing support.
Director Agriculture Muthu Kumar appraised that Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY) has been launched to promote enterprises in agriculture and allied sector. Under the scheme, around 40-50% of capital investment subsidy subject to a limit of `50 lakh is being provided to entrepreneurs. Around 83 types of projects have been enlisted for support under the scheme.
So far, 365 operating units have been supported under the MKUY. In the current year, a total number of 113 units involving a capital investment of `44 crore have been operationalised. These units have been provided a capital investment subsidy of `12 crore and they have created sustainable employment opportunity for 565 persons.