By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, February 26, 2018: In a bid to prop up the stagnant agriculture and allied sector, Odisha government on Monday cleared 39 new projects in the State at an estimated cost of Rs 365 crore.

The projects were approved in the State Level Sanctioning Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi here.

“These 39 new projects have been estimated around Rs 365 crore and they would be completed within 1 to 3 years,” said principal secretary agriculture and farmers empowerment, Sourav Garg.

The projects will be funded both by the Central and State Government on 60:40 sharing basis under Rashtriya Kurishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY). The major sanctioned projects include holistic development of Sakhigopal coconut farm, formation and operationalization of Farmers’ Producer groups in Ganjam district, developing model livestock farm for promotion of entrepreneurship and capacity building, development of ICT based forwarding system for major insect and pests diseases, establishment of farmers’ counseling center at Panchayat level, enhancing food & nutrition security of small & marginal farmers in Koraput district et al.

Besides, some other projects aim at enhancing fish production in water reservoirs of the state, online payment system to milk producers, modern diary parlor through e-cat, construction of 10 multipurpose agricultural go downs, construction of drying yards, expansion of sweet potato cultivation, expansion of betel vine in Jagatsinghpur district, compost production from urban waste, establishment of center of excellence on organic farming, establishment of incubation center for micro-entrepreneurs, mobile based customized advisory to the farmers, promotion of sustainable livelihood for tribal households in OTELP plus programme, reclamation of problematic soil etc.

While giving nod to the projects, Padhi directed the implementing departments and agencies to focus on post-harvesting, value addition and marketing support to the farmers so that they get more price for their products. He also called for nurturing of right type of people in the incubation centers so that they actually grow as entrepreneurs after coming out of the center.

Considering multiplicity of agricultural advisories being issued from different sources, Chief Secretary directed to integrate these sources and issue the advisories from single source for convenience of the farmers.

So far 646 major projects have been implemented in the state under RKVY of which 414 projects have been completed and the remaining 232 projects are under implementation. The projects are being implemented through 26 departments and agencies.