Odisha Deputy CM warns horticulture officials on accountability
Bhubaneswar, Aug 13
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo came down heavily on officials during the State‑Level Horticulture Officers' Conference, warning them against failing to follow government guidelines and submit mandatory tour reports.
According to an official statement, the key objectives of the conference were to advance agricultural development, boost farmers' earnings and strengthen nutritional security across the state.
The programme was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Commissioner‑cum‑Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman and other senior departmental officials.
During the event, Singh Deo instructed officers to visit the field regularly, engage directly with farmers, understand their genuine challenges and offer tangible solutions.
He emphasised the need to monitor whether government schemes are reaching the ground as intended.
He advised officials to apply the knowledge gained from government training sessions directly to field operations.
He issued strict orders requiring all officials, including the Director, to submit monthly field visit reports to the office.
Speaking to media persons later, Singh Deo said that for two years officials had been given a long rope. He asked, "When we are sending farmers at government expense to other states to learn about the best farming practices and potential that can be implemented here, when they come back from the tour, are they not supposed to submit a tour report to the government?"
He added that if they failed to submit reports, the government would take action against them.
"They need to submit their tour report through the Secretary to the Government within seven days, failing which all tours outside the state or outside the country will be stopped," he warned.
The conference addressed several priorities, including expanding oil palm cultivation to reduce the shortage of edible oil, improving crop quality to target international export markets and encouraging the cultivation of high‑value crops alongside commercial floriculture to maximise return on land.
Technical sessions covered modern farming practices, the adoption of advanced technology, effective scheme implementation, post‑harvest handling, and the facilitation of direct sales from farmers to consumers.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from a farming family in Cuttack, I can say this is long overdue. Farmers in our village have been struggling with crop diseases and pest issues for years, but the horticulture officers rarely visit. When they do come, it's just for a photo op. Hope this directive changes things on the ground.
Accountability in government departments is always welcome. But the real test will be in implementation - will these orders actually translate to better yields and income for farmers? Words are cheap, action is what matters.
Good initiative, but I wish they'd also focus on the quality of training these officials receive before going on foreign trips. My cousin works in the agriculture department and he says many of these tours are just sightseeing trips disguised as training. At least now they'll have to justify their travel. 😄
I appreciate the emphasis on oil palm cultivation to reduce dependence on imported edible oil. That's a strategic move for food security. But officials need proper infrastructure and modern equipment to make this work - not just stern warnings.
Finally, someone is cracking the whip! We farmers have been telling these officials about our problems for years, but they just sit in their AC offices. One of my relatives in Ganjam had to wait 6 months for his subsidy. Maybe now these officers will actually show up and listen 😊
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