5,000 Farmers to Get Support in Sambalpur

The Sambalpur district administration plans to extend government assistance to 5,000 integrated farmers to increase agricultural earnings and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held on Sunday to review cluster-based farming and rural livelihood development. Officials were directed to identify eligible farmers, complete their registration and connect them with government schemes, diversified farming opportunities and organised markets.

The initiative will focus on developing agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry and skill development. Authorities stressed the need to turn farming clusters into commercially profitable ventures by assessing production levels, farmers’ numbers and the market value of agricultural produce.

Fruit and spice cultivation, flower farming through polyhouses, and cluster-based production of green gram, mustard and other crops were among the key areas discussed. The administration also plans to promote integrated farming by utilising Sambalpur’s fertile land, Hirakud reservoir and connectivity network.

Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised natural farming, reduced pesticide use and climate-resilient agricultural practices. He also highlighted the importance of value addition, better packaging and effective marketing to improve farmers’ income.

Discussions on animal husbandry covered dairy development, livestock surveys, higher milk production and market opportunities. In fisheries, officials explored inland fish farming, women’s self-help group participation, biofloc technology, rice-fish cultivation, integrated aquaparks and ornamental fish production. Cold storage and fish processing facilities were also considered.

Rural Development Minister Rabi Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra and Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar attended the meeting.