Paperman Media ( Bhubaneswar )- In response to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of below-normal South-West monsoon rainfall and potential El Niño impacts in the state, Odisha’s Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Agriculture, Farmers' Empowerment & Energy Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo today chaired a high-level virtual review meeting to deploy a comprehensive Kharif 2026 crop contingency and preparedness strategy.
Addressing district administrations via video conference, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Shri Singh Deo issued a directive for all departments, district authorities, and research institutions to work in absolute coordination to safeguard farmers' interests during the upcoming season.
Key Directives Issued to District Administrations:
1. Seed Management & Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Pre-Positioning Stock: The Managing Director of Odisha State Seeds Corporation (OSSC) must ensure the timely distribution of certified seeds by the first week of June 2026, prioritizing remote and vulnerable districts.
Focus on Short-Duration Varieties: In areas vulnerable to rain deficits, authorities must ensure an adequate supply and focus on short and medium-duration paddy, pulses, oilseeds, and millet seeds.
Crop Diversification & Contingency: District teams must actively promote crop diversification in upland and rainfed areas. In the event of a delayed monsoon, a Community Nursery Approach will be adopted.
Buffer Reserves: OSSC must maintain an adequate reserve stock of paddy, pulses, and oilseed seeds to handle any weather-related exigencies.
2. Fertilizer Security & Anti-Hoarding Measures
Last-Mile Delivery: MARKFED, PACS, and LAMPCS must ensure seamless, last-mile fertilizer delivery to farmers. Uninterrupted supply must be maintained by fertilizer companies despite global market uncertainties.
Strict Enforcement: District Collectors have been instructed to closely supervise fertilizer distribution. The state will enforce zero-tolerance measures against black marketing, hoarding, and illegal diversion of fertilizers.
Soil Health: Field teams will promote balanced and integrated nutrient management based on individual Soil Health Cards, alongside green manuring and water conservation practices.
3. Crop Insurance & Agristak
Comprehensive Crop Insurance: Officials must maximize farmer enrollment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). To minimize the financial burden on cultivators, the State Government of Odisha is bearing the complete premium of the farmer's share (up to 2 hectares per farmer), requiring only a token validation fee of ₹1/- per application.
Mandatory Farmer Registry: District teams must accelerate and complete their Farmer Registry targets. Registration is mandatory for farmers to seamlessly access benefits under PM-KISAN, CM-KISAN, subsidized fertilizer/seed purchases, and government procurement.
4. Technical Support & Field Awareness
Real-Time Agro-Advisories: Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), will provide real-time, location-specific, weather-based agro-advisories. OUAT will also extend technical support for pest management and stress-tolerant crop varieties.
Digital Outreach: Crop advisories must be prominently displayed on LED screens at both district and state levels to maximize reach.
Ground-Level Mobilization: District contingency teams must remain fully active throughout the Kharif season. Field officers are mandated to regularly visit villages, interact directly with farmers, and conduct extensive awareness programs regarding dry-spell preparedness.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Agriculture & FE) Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Co-operation Department) Shri Rajesh Pravakar Patil, Vice Chancellor of OUAT Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul, Director of Agriculture & Food Production, Shri Shubham Saxena, Director Horticulture, Shri Kalunge Gorakh Waman, Director of IMD, Dr. Manorama Mohapatra, Collector Balangir Gourav Shivaji Isalwar and other senior departmental officers.
