Bhubaneswar, April 20: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the distribution of ₹838.48 crores to 4,168,582 farmers on Monday. This financial assistance was provided under the CM-Kisan Scheme, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya and State Farmers’ Day. The funds were transferred directly to the farmers’ bank accounts through a direct benefit transfer system.
During a grand event held at the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack, the Chief Minister made several significant announcements for farmers. He performed a ceremonial land worship and initiated the traditional ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’ ritual, marking the start of the new agricultural season in Odisha.
Following the ceremony, the Chief Minister visited an agricultural exhibition and flagged off the ‘Ama Bihana Rath’ and ‘Krishi Rath’ initiatives. The ‘Ama Bihana Rath’ aims to ensure easy access to quality seeds for farmers. In its first phase, this mobile seed sale vehicle will operate in 31 blocks across 10 districts, providing new rice seed varieties in 5-kilogram packets at the gram panchayat level.
Wishing farmers well on Akshaya Tritiya, Chief Minister Majhi emphasized that agriculture is the cornerstone of Odisha’s economy, culture, and prosperity. He stated that the state’s development relies on the advancement of agriculture and farmers. According to him, balanced growth in agriculture, industry, and other sectors is essential to achieve the goal of a ‘prosperous Odisha.’
The Chief Minister highlighted that empowering farmers economically is the government’s top priority, and this scheme reflects that commitment. Among the beneficiaries, 4,124,241 are small and marginal farmers, while 41,049 belong to landless farming families, and 3,292 are from tribal farming families.
He reported that within 22 months of the new government’s tenure, the state’s agricultural growth rate has reached 5.3%, surpassing the national average. This year, Odisha achieved a record production of over 15 million metric tons of food grains, marking a significant milestone for the agricultural sector.
To ensure fair prices for farmers, the state government is purchasing rice at ₹3,100 per quintal. So far, during the 2025-26 Kharif season, 1,855,661 farmers have sold 7.647 million metric tons of rice to the government.
Additionally, the government has provided ₹5,589.98 crores in input assistance to farmers. The Chief Minister reiterated that farmers play a crucial role in building a prosperous Odisha, and the government is continuously working to make the agricultural sector more profitable, modern, and robust.
He also mentioned that the joint efforts of the central and state governments have accelerated development in Odisha. To enhance farmers’ incomes, the government is focusing on quality seeds, improved irrigation facilities, and strong market connections, aiming to empower and make the agricultural sector self-reliant.
He concluded by stating that ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’ is a proud cultural tradition of Odisha, signaling the official start of rice sowing by farmers.
The government believes that this scheme and new initiatives will increase farmers’ incomes and enable them to benefit more from modern agricultural resources.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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