Odisha Cabinet approves a budget of Rs 367 crore for "Empowerment of Women in Agriculture"

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 28 December 2022

According to the government, the Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, approved the allocation of Rs 367.19 crores for the State Sector Scheme "empowerment of women in agriculture-promotion of entrepreneurship for women SHG" during a five-year period from 2022–2026.

An official statement stated that the program's goals were to "double the state's mushroom output through area expansion incorporating women beneficiaries/WSHGs and to make the state self-sufficient in the production of button mushrooms and loose flowers."

"Over the mission time, the state shall emerge as the net exporter of mushrooms and high-value flowers," it continued. "The scheme will provide sustained income creation of women beneficiaries/WSHGs."

The development of potatoes, vegetables, and spices under the state sector scheme "Development of Potato, Vegetable and Spices" will be carried out by WSHGs and FPOs, and would be funded with Rs1142.24 crore during a four-year period from 2022–2023 to 2025–2026.

The scheme, according to the statement, "is introduced with the objective of providing financial assistance to the farmers for the cultivation of Potato, Onions, Hybrid vegetables, and Spices in order to make the State self-sufficient in the production Of 5 vegetables (Potato, Onion, Tomato, Cauliflower, & Cabbage), along With an increase in area and production under spices."

It will offer plenty of opportunity for creating jobs in rural areas and raising farmers' incomes. The state will become self-sufficient, reducing its current dependence on other states for vegetables including potatoes, onions, and seed spices.

Tuesday's state cabinet meeting, presided over by chief minister Naveen Patnaik, resulted in the adoption of up to 17 significant decisions.