‘The Intellects’ organises Agri-conference on development of Agriculture in Odisha

ONI Bureau:  “The Intellects”, a progressive forum of intellectuals for the first time organised a conference on Agriculture in Odisha at the Press Club of Orissa, Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Government Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and the director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra inaugurated the event.

Former Rajya Sabha MP AV Swamy and Padma Shri Debiprasanna Pattanayak described the Odisha economy as an agro-based one. Chairman of ‘The Intellects’, Debendra Rout revealed that the main goal of the seminar to identify all hurdles and find remedies to address the concerns.

Professor Radha Mohan, Benudhar Bhuyan, writer Natabar Khuntia, Social Worker Jagdish Pradhan, Napindar Singh frrom Punjab, working member of CACP Kaibalya Pradhan, Former AGM of NABARD Sarala pradhan discussed about development of Agriculture in Odisha. Prof. Mrinal Chatterjee, Director of IIMC, Dhenkanal moderated the event.

In the third session, young agriculturists from Odisha were invited to present their views. They included Sushree Sabarmati, Surya Pradhan, Sushant Khuntia, Abhilash Pradhan and Pati Dani. The panelists discussed how agriculture can woo the educated youth. Columnist Parambramha Tripathy was the coordinator of the session.

The fourth session was moderated by eminent journalist Sandeep Sahu. Former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo, former Odisha PCC President Prasad Harichandan and AAP Odisha Convener Nishikant Mohapatra stressed on the need for a definite and robust agricultural policy in Odisha.

Others like, eminent Agriculture experts, farmers from 30 districts, institutional heads, Political leaders, research scholars, innovators and students attended the event and discussed the causes of backwardness of agriculture in Odisha and how to find their solution.