Bhubaneswar, April 20 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday launched the "Seeds on Wheels" initiative aimed at ensuring easy access to improved seed varieties for farmers across the state.
In the first phase, mobile seed distribution units will operate in 31 blocks across 10 districts, supplying new varieties of paddy seeds in 5-kg packets directly at the gram panchayat level.
The programme was launched near the Central Rice Research Institute in Cuttack on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, observed as the State-level Farmers' Day.
The Chief Minister performed traditional rituals, including offering "Akhi Muthi," before flagging off 'Aam Bihan Rath' and 'Krishi Rath'.
On the occasion, Majhi disbursed financial assistance of Rs 838.48 crore to over 41.68 lakh farmers under the CM-KISAN Yojana through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
He reiterated that strengthening farmers financially remains a top priority of the government.
Of the total beneficiaries, over 41.24 lakh are small and marginal farmers, while 41,049 belong to landless farming families and 3,292 are from tribal communities.
Highlighting the state's agricultural progress, the Chief Minister said Odisha's agricultural growth rate has reached 5.3 percent in the past 22 months, surpassing the national average.
He added that food grain production has crossed 15 lakh metric tonnes this year, marking a record achievement.
To ensure fair returns, the state is procuring paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal. During the 2025-26 Kharif season, 76.47 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured from over 18.55 lakh farmers, with input assistance of Rs 5,589.98 crore provided.
Majhi also emphasized initiatives such as the Balabhadra Organic Farming Mission and the Shree Anna Abhiyan to promote sustainable and traditional agriculture.
He noted that improving seed quality, expanding irrigation, and strengthening market linkages are key focus areas for enhancing farmers' income. Infrastructure development, including cold storages and warehouses, is being supported under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for including tribal districts such as Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, and Nuapada under the PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana launched last year.
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