Bhubaneswar, 19 May (H.S.) : Bhubaneswar hosted the ‘Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference-2026’ on Tuesday, bringing together policymakers, agriculture experts and ministers from five eastern Indian states to deliberate on a comprehensive roadmap for agricultural development and farmers’ welfare.
The conference saw participation from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan and representatives from Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.
Addressing the gathering, Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised Odisha’s performance in agriculture and paddy procurement, stating that the state has created a significant benchmark this year. Describing farmers as the nation’s “Annadata”, he said the fertile land, rich water resources and favourable climate of eastern India hold immense potential for transforming the region into a major agricultural growth hub.
Emphasising sustainable farming practices, the Union Minister urged farmers to adopt natural farming on at least 20 percent of their agricultural land. He cautioned that excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides was adversely affecting soil fertility and crop quality. Chouhan also warned of stringent action against those involved in fake fertiliser and pesticide trade and announced that the Centre is preparing a new Pesticide Act aimed at protecting farmers’ interests.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, in his address, highlighted the importance of soil conservation and organic farming, stating that indiscriminate use of chemicals is gradually making agricultural land toxic. He informed that organic rice produced in Odisha is now being used in the Mahaprasad of Shree Jagannath Temple, calling it a matter of pride for the state.
The Chief Minister further stated that the Odisha government is undertaking special initiatives at the block level to revive traditional and forgotten food crops. Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal, he urged farmers to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Highlighting farmer-centric schemes, Majhi said that under the ‘Samruddha Krushak Yojana’, paddy is being procured at Rs 3,100 per quintal, benefiting nearly 19 lakh farmers during the last Kharif season. He added that over 51 lakh farmers are receiving annual assistance of Rs 4,000 under the ‘CM Kisan Yojana’, which, along with PM-Kisan assistance, ensures financial support of up to Rs 10,000 annually for farmers.
He also announced that the state government is strengthening agricultural infrastructure by planning cold storage facilities across all 58 sub-divisions. Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana’, subsidies of up to Rs 1 crore are being provided to encourage investment in the agriculture sector.
The Chief Minister said more than 1,800 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are actively functioning in Odisha and have recorded business transactions worth Rs 126 crore over the past two years. He further informed that coffee plantations are being developed over one lakh acres in six districts, including Koraput and Kalahandi. Referring to the global recognition of Koraput Coffee, he stressed the need for enhanced branding and market expansion.
Majhi noted that eastern India has immense untapped potential for increasing agricultural productivity and said the conference would provide an important platform for sharing best practices among participating states. He expressed confidence that the roadmap emerging from the conference would significantly strengthen Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Purvodaya Mission’ and contribute towards making eastern India self-reliant in agriculture.
Among others present at the conference were Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Ram Vichar Netam, Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, West Bengal Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ashok Kirtonia, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Atish Chandra and Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education Mangi Lal Jat.
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
