Review Meeting on ‘Crop Diversification under CDP-MLIP of Cuttack district organized at NRRI
A Review Meeting of Special Programme on ‘Crop Diversification’ under CDP-MLIP of Cuttack district was jointly organized by ICAR-National Rice Research Institute and District Agriculture Department, Cuttack on 22 November 2023 at NRRI premises. Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Cuttack in his interaction with the farmers and facilitating agencies of the crop diversification programme operated in Badamba and Narsinghpur Blocks emphasized on the problems being faced by the farmers and suggested to incorporate mid-course corrections in the programme for reaping the real benefits from the programme. Shri Debiprasad Mishra, Hon’ble MLA of Badamba suggested in linking the production of farmers to assured market network so that farmers will be getting the real price of their produce. He has also emphasized on proper monitoring and evaluation of the programme and the inclusion of demand-driven enterprises in the crop diversification programme. Shri Mishra appreciated the spread and linking aromatic rice farmers to export market as a result farmers are getting their produce value one and half times more than the MSP value. Sri Kishore Chandra Mishra, President, Zilla Parisad, Cuttack listen the issues of farmers in programme implementation and suggested to work in convergence mode. Dr. A.K. Nayak, Director, ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack in his welcome address emphasized on the importance of crop diversifications and its benefits in sustainable production by increasing water, nutrient use efficiency, pest suppression, income generation andconserving biodiversity. He also gave a brief presentation on the proper planning, monitoring, evaluation of Crop Diversification programme. Shri Narahari Sethy, Collector-cum-DM and Chairman of CDP-MILP programme assured to take appropriate action for effective implementation of the programme in Badamba and Narasinghpur. Shri Umakanta Raj, ADM (Rev) suggested on the inclusion of local and adopted crops varieties. Shri Sudam Kumar Nayak, CDAO, Cuttack in the beginning gave a brief presentation on the progress of the programme. Heads of Divisions, scientists, seven facilitating agencies, 80 farmers and farmwomen, line department officials, scientists, NGOs and other stakeholders participated in the review meeting. and interacted with the invited guests. Dr. S D Mohapatra, Head, Crop Protection Division coordinated the programme while Dr. Rupak Jena proposed the vote of thanks.