The State Government is taking various welfare measures for the development of farmers and farming sectors in the State. Efforts are being taken to make agriculture a profitable exercise by laying emphasis on irrigation, observed Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Damodar Rout, while attending a function on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya at Athagarh on Monday.
“The recent announcement for providing crop loan at 2 per cent interest to eligible farmers would immensely benefit farmers of the State and the Agriculture Policy-2013 would create ample opportunities for the production of oil seed, jute, fruits, and vegetables,” said Rout.
He also called upon the small and marginal farmers to take advantages of horticulture and the dairy development programmes, thereby enhancing their income.
Attending the event, State Planning Board Deputy chairman Surendra Nath Nayak said efforts are on to reach out to the small farmers for the fruitful implementation of various Government sponsored welfare schemes as the agriculture budget has been increased to Rs 7,500 crore this year.
Among others, Athagarh MlA Ranendra Prtap Swain, BKJD president Golak Bihari Nayak, Athagarh Panchayat Samlti chairperson Minati Acharya, Rabindra Rout, Ranjan Kumar Acharya, Jajati Pattnaik, Banu Charan Das, Deepak Das and Sidheswar Baliarsingh attended and highlighted various welfare schemes of the State Government. The programme was organsied by Biju Krushak Janata Dal (BKJD).