Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday launched several people-oriented programmes on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, which marks the commencement of agricultural activities before the onset of monsoon.
The day is also performed as State-Level Farmers’ Day in Odisha. On this occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik participated in a special programme organised by the Department of Agriculture at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) farm in Bhubaneswar and performed the ritual of Akhi Muthi Anukula’. ‘Bhumi Pujana’ ritual was also performed during the programme. Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain and other officials were present during the occasion.
He ploughed a small portion of the field and sowed seeds as a part of the ritual. ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’ is the ceremonial act of sowing seeds in paddy fields after ploughing. The occasion marks the commencement of agricultural works.
Naveen also greeted the people and wished a good harvest season and prosperity of farmers.
The CM then went to the Lok Seva Bhawan, where he inaugurated the Millet Shakti Cafe.
Patnaik also inaugurated the ‘Agricultural Review Centre’. It will function as the central command and control system in the state agriculture building.
Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain, Women and Child Development Minister Basanti Hembram, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Secretary Mission Shakti Sujatha Karthikeyan Pandian and Secretary for Women and Child Development Shubha Sharma were present at this event.
