Bhubaneswar, Odisha : The festival of Nuakhai brought double joy to Odisha’s farmers this year, as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi released the third installment of the CM-Kisan scheme, disbursing ₹1,041 crore to more than 51 lakh farmers across the state. The funds were credited directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
The state-level programme was organised at the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar, with ministers, farmers, students and agricultural experts in attendance.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the scheme was significantly improving rural livelihoods.
“Through CM-Kisan, farmers are witnessing an increase of ₹38,000 in their annual income. When combined with the Subhadra scheme and PM-Kisan, the annual benefit rises to around ₹58,000,” Mr. Majhi said.
He emphasised that agriculture remained the backbone of Odisha’s economy. “Without the prosperity of farmers, the state’s overall progress is impossible,” he added.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated a new Krushak Bhavan and a guest house for agricultural education at OUAT, built at a cost of ₹59 crore, to serve as hubs for farmer training and student research.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo hailed the initiative as a symbol of self-reliance.
“This scheme does not depend solely on central funds; it is our government’s direct contribution to farmers. That makes it both unique and sustainable,” he said.
He noted that the programme would shield farmers from uncertain markets and erratic weather conditions.
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik underlined the scheme’s focus on inclusivity.
“Landless farmers are receiving ₹12,500 in three installments to support goatery, poultry, mushroom farming and other allied activities. This diversification is helping rural families stabilise their income,” Mr. Mallik said.
Agriculture Minister Surya Narayan Patro highlighted the government’s efforts in procurement and allied welfare.
“Last year, Odisha procured 92.63 lakh metric tonnes of paddy at the minimum support price of ₹3,100 per quintal. This reflects our commitment to ensuring fair returns to farmers,” he said.
He also mentioned the Samruddha Krushak Yojana, designed to integrate financial aid with access to quality seeds, irrigation and technology.
The Chief Minister noted that under the Krushi Vidyanidhi programme, 13,923 children of CM-Kisan beneficiaries received ₹53.69 crore in scholarships last year. Beneficiaries are pursuing studies in institutions like IITs, IIMs, AIIMS and NITs.
He further highlighted the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), under which subsidies up to ₹1 crore are available for agri-enterprises. In 2024–25, 1,406 projects worth ₹188 crore were approved.
The government is also expanding cold storage facilities through a new Cold Storage Assistance Scheme, with one planned in every subdivision. Officials reported that over 1.6 lakh quintals of certified potato seeds were distributed last year — nearly three times the earlier figure — to achieve potato self-sufficiency.
More than 600 farmers and 200 students attended the OUAT event, which was livestreamed across all 30 districts. Farmers welcomed the scheme but urged timely delivery of subsidies and seeds before each cropping season.
For Odisha’s agrarian communities, Nuakhai 0001is not just a festival of harvest but also a reaffirmation of the bond between farmers and their fields. By releasing funds on this occasion, the government sought to highlight its commitment to making agriculture the cornerstone of Odisha’s development.
With cash transfers, infrastructure creation, allied sector support and educational opportunities, the CM and his ministers projected the scheme as a long-term investment in rural prosperity.
Also Read : CM Kisan Funds Credited to Farmers Ahead of Nuakhai
