The Akshaya Tritiya was observed jointly by the Odisha Krushak Samaj (OKS) and the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) here at Prataprudrapur village under Balianta block with a host of programmes on Monday.
The event was started with CIFA director Dr P Jaishankar and OKS president Dr Purna Chandra Mohanty along with hundreds of villagers and farmers sowing seeds in land. Following it, an eye testing camp, veterinary health camp for cattle and a seminar on farming and issues in farming sector were organised. Nearly, 200 cattle were treated in the camp.
Attending the seminar, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) scientists Saroj Swain, Priyabrata Swain and Dr Anand elaborated the benefits of pisciculture. They also informed that the CIFA would soon hold a training camp in the locality on colour pisciculture.
Speaking on the occasion, Indian Overseas Bank’s (IOB) senior general manager Minaketan Jena assured the farmers of all possible supports from his bank. “Our bank will provide loans to eligible farmers on priority manner,” said Jena.
“Agriculture is the key to socio-economic growth of the State,” said OKS president Mohanty. He also said the association will urge the Government to constitute a food processing unit, agro-based small scale industries and cold storage at every panchayat across the State.
Among others, Khurda Zilla Parishad member Choudhury Dwarikanath Das, former sarpanch Babuli Nanda, Dr Narasingha Patnaik, Rabinarayan Patnaik and Pradipta Kumar Rath, participated.