With unplanned mining and allied industrial activities effecting alteration in land use, the agricultural land cover has decreased from 42.14 per cent to 28.92 per cent in the Angul-Talcher region of the State. It was revealed at a seminar of scientists, farmers and administrators held at the Krusi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) here on Sunday. They emphasised on development of agriculture through scientific methods in order to get rid of the alteration problem.
“Agriculture scientists and farmers should come forward for using modern technology to increase food crop production. Agriculture land cover has decreased due to industrialisation, mining activities, urbanisation and population growth,” said Angul Collector SR Yadav. Yadav argued that more agricultural activities would help increase life standard of farmers and their overall development as well.
KVK Scientist Dr D Panigrahi presided over the seminar in which Prof Prabhu Charan lenka, JSPl DGM (CSR) Puspalata Satpathy, Prof Ashoka Mohapatra, Scientist Dr Basanta Dash, Nabard DGM PK Jena, ATMA’s Sachidananda Panda and Krushak Mahasangh president Biranchi Samant kept their view points. The Collector Yadav distributed prizes to some successful farmers. An exhibition was inaugurated on this occasion. In the inaugural session, OUAT VC Prof Manoranjan Kar had addressed the gathering. The seminar was organised jointly by KVK, ATMA and JSPl, Angul.