At the East Zone Agricultural Conference 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Union Minister Chouhan and CM Majhi unveiled Odisha’s massive roadmap for sustainable farming and farmer welfare
OdishaPlus Bureau
A landmark Zonal Agricultural Conference–2026 (Eastern Zone) was held today in Bhubaneswar, bringing together key stakeholders from five eastern states to chart a unified roadmap for agricultural growth and farmer welfare across the region.
The high-level conclave witnessed the participation of representatives from Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, with a shared focus on accelerating agricultural development, strengthening rural livelihoods, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan graced the conference and lauded Odisha’s strong performance in agriculture and farmer-centric governance. He particularly highlighted the state’s remarkable achievements in paddy procurement this year, describing it as a significant milestone in farmer welfare delivery.
Reaffirming the central role of farmers, the Union Minister described them as the nation’s Annadatas, stating, “If there is a second God on Earth, it is the farmer.” He expressed confidence that Eastern India’s fertile soil, abundant water resources, and favourable climate will serve as a powerful foundation for agricultural prosperity in the coming years.
Calling for a shift toward sustainable practices, he strongly advocated for natural farming, urging farmers to dedicate at least 20 percent of their land to chemical-free cultivation. He emphasised that reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers is essential for protecting soil health and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity. He also announced a strict crackdown on fake fertilisers and counterfeit pesticides, along with the introduction of a new Pesticides Act to safeguard farmers’ interests.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented a comprehensive vision for the future of agriculture in Eastern India, focusing on farmer empowerment, soil conservation, and sustainable growth.
Highlighting Odisha’s cultural and agricultural integration, he noted that organic rice from the state is now being used in the sacred Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath, calling it a matter of immense pride for the state.
The Chief Minister also urged agricultural scientists to intensify research on expanding organic farming across Eastern India and announced large-scale initiatives to revive traditional and indigenous crops under the “Forgotten Foods” programme at the block level.
Reiterating the state’s commitment to farmer prosperity, the Chief Minister highlighted major welfare interventions under the Samruddha Krushak Yojana, under which paddy procurement at ₹3,100 per quintal has benefited nearly 19 lakh farmers in the last Kharif season.
He also noted that over 51 lakh farmers are receiving ₹4,000 annually under the CM Kisan Yojana, which, combined with the Centre’s PM-KISAN scheme, ensures ₹10,000 annual direct support to farmers.
Under the Krushi Vidyanidhi Yojana, financial support is being provided for higher education of farmers’ children, while the state government is fully covering crop insurance premiums under the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme.
To strengthen agricultural infrastructure, Odisha has launched financial assistance for cold storage facilities across all 58 sub-divisions and introduced subsidies of up to ₹1 crore under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana to encourage agri-investments, noted the Chief Minister.
The state also reported strong progress through over 1,800 Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs), which have generated business worth ₹126 crore in the last two years.
The Chief Minister further highlighted the large-scale development of coffee plantations across one lakh acres in six districts, including Koraput and Kalahandi. He emphasised the growing global recognition of Koraput coffee and called for stronger branding to expand its international market presence.
The conference is expected to serve as a critical platform for knowledge exchange among the five participating states, enabling the sharing of best practices, innovation, and successful agricultural models.
Concluding the address, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the outcomes of the Bhubaneswar conclave will pave the way for an agriculturally self-reliant Eastern India, marking a historic step toward realising the Purvodaya Mission envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The conference was attended by Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, DAFE, Govt of Odisha along with Agriculture Ministers from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, as well as senior officials from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, among other dignitaries.