The State has got the Krushi Karman Award for becoming first among the second category agriculture producing States while 10 other States are ahead of Odisha, said Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy.
In a written reply to a question put by BJP Member Dilip Ray, the Minister said the States which are ahead of Odisha include undivided Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
The States placed in the first group produce more than 10 million tonne food crops each per year. Odisha had produced 83.34 lakh tonne food crops during 2013-14.
The Minister has also revealed that the State Government had spent `31,16,805 towards advertisement expenditure relating to the Krush Karman award in 2012-13 and 2013-14. He further informed that 27.70 per cent of cultivable lands in the State have been irrigated so far and the fertilizer use in the State stands at 60 kg per hectare.
On the other hand, Ray citing the Economic Survey Report said each of the States, which are ahead of Odisha in food crop production, has much more irrigation coverage. While Punjab has the highest 98 per cent irrigation coverage, Haryana has 85 per cent, Bihar 62 per cent, AP 49 per cent Tamil Nadu 58 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 76 per cent and West Bengal has 58 per cent of irrigated land.
“It is disappointing that the irrigation sector in Odisha has been neglected in the last 15 years. The State achieving first position among second group of food crop producing States with low irrigation coverage and agri product is not encouraging at all,” Ray said.
Stating that Odisha’s fertiliser use (60 kg per hectare) is less than half of the national average of 128 kg, Ray said if farmers are provided quality seed, fertilisers and pesticides at appropriate prices along with adequate irrigation facility, Odisha would certainly top the first group besides achieving economic growth and enhancing employment base.