DBT On Crop Diversification Program
DBT on Crop Diversification Program and Need-Based Inputs in Mega Lift Irrigation Projects
Bhubaneswar, Orissa: Crop Diversification Program in Mega Lift Irrigation Projects” is being implemented through the Agriculture Department on a pilot basis from Kharif 2021-22. Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha under the dynamic leadership and guidance of our Honorable Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik. The primary objective of this program is to diversify from the traditional cultivation of paddy to other non-paddy crops like pulses, oilseeds. Improvement in soil health during Kharif season through the promotion of fibre in upper/middle land and horticulture crops and crops with higher biomass and less chemical input requirement.
In addition, the program includes integration with livestock and fisheries to enhance farmers’ income, cluster-based promotion of post-harvest operations, primary processing, value addition and community-based organizations (CBOs) like FPOs/WSHGs/Pani Panchayats and agriculture Marketing through entrepreneurs would be involved. Creating awareness on sustainability and diet diversification of cropping patterns, capacity building and community mobilization of farmers, inclusion of non-paddy cereals in various government schemes such as ICDS, MDM, PDS and SC/ST welfare hostels.
Crop Diversification Program
In the first phase, this program will be implemented in 4 districts i.e. Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Koraput covering 101 villages of 27 Gram Panchayats in 7 blocks covering an area of 12207 hectares of ayacuts of 18 nos. of mega lift irrigation projects. To promote 3343 hectares of pulses, 3745 hectares of cotton, 928 hectares of oilseeds, 2451 hectares of maize, 1322 hectares of bajra and 418 hectares of vegetables, Rs. 16.73 crores. It has been decided to provide financial incentives for three consecutive years to farmers for adopting crop diversification for non-paddy crops in the ayacuts of LIP.
About 16000 farmer families will be benefited under this program. 36 community-based organizations will be involved in various. Activities such as bio-input production, post-harvest operations, processing, value addition, cluster level aggregation and marketing. Capacity building programs will be organized for the farmers. Massive awareness campaigns/roadshows/miking hoardings on the benefits of diversification in non-paddy crops, maintaining soil health, dietary diversification and increasing water use efficiency will be taken up to make it successful and meaningful. Implementation of the pilot project. Secondly, various need-based inputs such as micronutrients, bio-fertilizers; Under various central and state plan schemes, pesticides etc. are being supplied to the farmers on subsidy. As a sequel to the initiative of MO Government, an online input management system ‘DBT in need-based inputs will be functional for transfer of subsidy amount directly into the account of farmers from 2021-22 in the state.
Crop Diversification Program
A mobile app web application has been developed through which farmers will buy inputs from the dealer and the subsidy due will be released to the beneficiary’s account through DBT. Today Hon’ble Minister Dr. Arun Kumar Sahu, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries, Animal Resource Development and Higher Education inaugurated a pilot project for Crop Diversification Program in Mega Lift Irrigation Projects and transfer of subsidy amount on DBT Input Odisha Portal. On this occasion, Shri Raj Kumar Sharma, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner-cum-Addl. Chief Secretary; Smt. Anugarg, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt. Department of Water Resources; Mr. Suresh Kumar Vashisht, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Govt., Agriculture Farmers’ Empowerment Department; Vice Chancellor, OUAT; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Govt., FARD Department and Director of Agriculture Food Production, Odisha were also present.
