Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is set to visit Odisha on November 10, 2025, for a day-long tour aimed at strengthening farmers' income, promoting nutritional security, and accelerating natural farming initiatives.
As per the schedule, the Union Minister will depart from Patna in the morning and reach Bhubaneswar by 11:00 AM. He will then attend the inaugural session of 'Mandia Dibasa' (Millet Day) at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre as the Chief Guest.
At the event, he will outline the Central Government’s efforts to encourage the production, processing, and consumption of Shri Anna (millets/coarse grains) across Odisha and the country. The session will also focus on how millets can strengthen rural livelihoods, boost farm income, and support the rural economy.
Following the event, the minister will visit agricultural fields in the Sadar region of Cuttack district and interact directly with local farmers. He will listen to their concerns, gather feedback, assess the ground-level execution of government schemes, and seek suggestions to refine agricultural policies.
The afternoon, Shri Chouhan will chair a high-level review meeting at the ICAR – Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack. The meeting will deliberate on key national agricultural missions, including:
Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, ICAR scientists, and representatives from the Odisha Government will participate in the session. The discussion will focus on developing effective strategies to boost productivity, promote sustainability, and strengthen self-reliance in Indian agriculture.
The visit is being seen as a significant move towards advancing sustainable and self-sufficient agriculture in Odisha. Stressing the importance of farmers, Shri Chouhan said:
“The future of our nation lies in the hands of farmers. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to making agriculture profitable, eco-friendly, and technology-driven.”
Policy Making Rooted in Ground Realities:
The Union Minister has been consistently visiting rural regions to engage directly with farmers. He emphasizes that:
Key areas of discussion during the Odisha visit will include soil health, water management, crop diversification, climate-resilient farming, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Odisha Leading the Millet Movement: ‘Mandia Dibasa’ highlights Odisha’s active role in promoting millets. After 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets, districts like Koraput, Rayagada, and Kandhamal have demonstrated remarkable progress in millet cultivation, both in productivity and nutrition outcomes. The Union Minister’s participation reinforces the government’s commitment to promoting climate-resilient, nutrition-rich, and economically beneficial traditional crops.
Towards Integrated Agricultural Growth: Convergence of flagship missions such as PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, Pulses Self-Reliance Mission, and the National Mission on Natural Farming is expected to:
The strategy session at ICAR-CRRI aims to formulate a strong roadmap that integrates technology, farmer training, credit access, and marketing networks to create a more robust and farmer-centric agricultural ecosystem.
