Bhubaneswar, 04 September (H.S.): Ahead of Janmashtami and Odisha’s agriculture-based festival Nuakhai, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday released the fifth instalment under the CM-KISAN scheme, transferring more than ₹833 crore directly to the bank accounts of 41,35,978 small and marginal farmers and 13,949 landless agricultural households through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The state-level programme was held at Krushi Shiksha Sadan on the OUAT campus in Bhubaneswar. The assistance is aimed at helping farmers purchase essential agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and pesticides ahead of the Rabi season 2026-27.

Addressing the gathering, Majhi said the prosperity of farmers is the foundation of Odisha’s progress. He described CM-KISAN as more than a financial assistance scheme, saying it seeks to promote farmers’ self-reliance and provide support for agricultural inputs, allied livelihoods and quality technical education for their children.

The Chief Minister announced that the deadline for paddy registration for Kharif 2026-27 has been extended to September 7. He also announced a ₹1,000-crore special assistance package for farmers affected by recent floods in districts including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Sundargarh.

Compensation will be provided based on damage assessments conducted by field-level officials of the Revenue and Agriculture departments, he said.

Majhi said more than 60% of Odisha’s population depends on agriculture, making the enhancement of farmers’ incomes a key government priority. He stressed agricultural diversification as an important means of improving farm incomes.

Under the Samrudha Krushak Yojana, farmers are being paid ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy, combining the Centre’s MSP with state input assistance. Payments are being made within 48 hours of procurement.

During Kharif 2025-26, 77.48 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured from 18.84 lakh farmers, with a record ₹5,663.84 crore paid as input subsidy. During the Rabi season, ₹1,494.89 crore was provided to 3.63 lakh farmers.

The Chief Minister highlighted the Krushi Vidya Nidhi Yojana, under which more than 68,910 beneficiaries received scholarships exceeding ₹291.60 crore during 2025-26.

The government is also promoting livestock farming, fisheries, millets and pulses. Odisha procured 6.92 lakh quintals of ragi last year at an MSP of ₹4,886 per quintal. Under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana, subsidies of up to ₹1 crore are available to farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.

Majhi identified climate change, erratic weather, water scarcity and soil degradation as major agricultural challenges. The state is promoting organic farming, millet cultivation and regenerative agriculture to address these concerns.

Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo assured flood-affected farmers of government assistance and transparency in the relief process. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said untimely rainfall has been officially included in the state’s disaster list.

More than 750 farmers attended the state-level programme, while the event was live-streamed across all 30 districts. The Chief Minister concluded by extending advance greetings to the people of Odisha on Nuakhai.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda