Bhubaneswar, September 9: As many as 184 Soil Conservation Extension Workers joined in the State Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department on Friday.
Addressing the induction programme organised at State Convention Centre, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called upon them to adhere to 5T principles to help farmers use improved farm practices.
“Taking farmers in their area of service as a team, providing quick support with use of technology and maintaining absolute transparency throughout can bring real transformation at the grassroots and make way for improved farming practices,” said Patnaik.
Focusing on State’s policy for farm sector, he said that Odisha is an agrarian state and more than 70 per cent of our population depend on agriculture. State Agricultural Policy- SAMRUDHI-2020 emphasizes on ensuring continuous growth in farmers’ income and making the growth inclusive for small, marginal and landless farmers. For sustaining agricultural growth; conservation, development and management of vital natural resources like land and water carry much significance.
He further said that Odisha has been implementing different activities under Watershed Development programme, Rainfed Area Development, Plantations , Construction of Farm Ponds and Farm Pond Plus for enhancing productivity and promoting Integrated Farming Systems towards multiplying farmers’ income.
“These programmes have also enabled farmers to counter the extreme weather events being encountered frequently these days with climate-resilient approaches,” he added.
Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain, Department Principal Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra also graced the occasion.
Three new Soil Conservation Workers – Prabhanjan Mohapatra, Sagarika Mohaptra and Sarita Mallick – shared their experience on the recruitment process.
