Odisha Rolls Out Robust Kharif 2026 Strategy to Counter Below-Normal Monsoon & El Niño Forecast

Odisha rolls out robust Kharif 2026 strategy to counter below-normal monsoon & El Niño forecast. ==================================

By

Sudhir MishraBolangir

May29,2026

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Bolangir; In response to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of below-normal South-West monsoon rainfall and potential El Niño impacts in the state, Deputy Chief Minister, Agriculture, Farmers' Empowerment & Energy Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Wednesday chaired a high-level virtual review meeting to deploy a comprehensive Kharif 2026 crop contingency and preparedness strategy.

Addressing district administrations via video conference on Wednesday (May 27), SinghDeo issued directives for all departments, district authorities, and research institutions to work in absolute coordination to safeguard farmers' interests during the upcoming season.

 Those main four points of directive include seed management & climate-resilient agriculture, fertilizer security & anti-hoarding measures, crop insurance & Agristak, and technical support & field awareness.

  To keep adequate seeds for farmers, Singhdeo directed the managing director of Odisha State Seeds Corporation (OSSC) to ensure the timely distribution of certified seeds by the first week of June 2026,prioritizing remote and vulnerable districts. Interestingly, in those areas, there is a rainfall deficit history, or areas are vulnerable to rainfall deficit;the focus is on short-duration varieties, and authorities must ensure an adequate supply and focus on short- and medium-duration paddy, pulses, oilseeds, and millet seeds.

Moreover, as part of crop diversification & contingency, Singhdeo directed the district teams to actively promote crop diversification in upland and rainfed areas. In the event of a delayed monsoon, a community nursery approach is to be adopted. The Orissa State Seed Corporation (OSSC) must maintain an adequate reserve stock of paddy, pulses, and oilseed seeds to handle any weather-related exigencies. ,Singhdeo stressed further.

 MARKFED, PACS, and LAMPCS must ensure seamless, last-mile fertilizer delivery to farmers. An uninterrupted supply must be maintained by the fertilizer companies despite global market uncertainties.

Strict Enforcement: District collectors have been instructed to closely supervise fertilizer distribution. The state will enforce zero-tolerance measures against black marketing, hoarding, and illegal diversion of fertilizers.

 Agriculture officials must maximize farmer enrollment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). To minimize the financial burden on cultivators, the state government of Odisha is bearing the complete premium of the farmer's share (up to 2 hectares per farmer), requiring only a token validation fee of ₹1/- per application. The district teams must accelerate and complete their farmer registry targets. Registration is mandatory for farmers to seamlessly access benefits under PM-KISAN, CM-KISAN, subsidized fertilizer/seed purchases, and government procurement, Singhdeo says further.

Singhdeo informed that Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), will provide real-time, location-specific, weather-based agro-advisories. OUAT will also extend technical support for pest management and stress-tolerant crop varieties. : Crop advisories must be prominently displayed on LED screens at both district and state levels to maximize reach.

The district contingency teams remain active throughout the Kharif season, and the Field officers are mandated to regularly visit villages, interact directly with farmers, and conduct extensive awareness programs regarding dry-spell preparedness as a part of technical support & field awareness and real-time agro-advisories, the agriculture minister stressed further. 

 The meeting was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Agriculture & FE) Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Co-operation Department) Shri Rajesh Pravakar Patil, Vice Chancellor of OUAT Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul, Director of Agriculture & Food Production Shri Shubham Saxena, Director of Horticulture Shri Kalunge Gorakh Waman, Director of IMD, Dr. Manorama Mohapatra, Collector of Balangir Gourav Shivaji Isalwar, and other senior departmental officers.

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Kalbhairab statue located in Harishankar Temple damaged: Complaints lodged , seek action against culprits and protection of heritage structures

 

Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir.

 The Kalbhairab statue located in Harishankar Temple was damaged on May 21 by some unknown miscreants, causing concern and hurting the sentiments of local people. The statue is a historically and religiously significant antiquity, believed to have been made and installed during the 6th-7th century BC. It holds deep religious and cultural importance for the Adivasi communities of the region. The deity is revered as a goddess associated with ancient knowledge of chemistry and is linked to Buddhist traditions, where a similar form is known as Kalantak Bhairab, points out a complaint submitted to the police. The act appears to be a deliberate and malicious attempt to insult and outrage the religious sentiments of the Adivasi communities and followers of the deity. It constitutes an act of religious betrayal and vandalism of a protected cultural heritage site, it said. It is pertinent to mention that several other ancient statues and heritage structures in the surrounding areas of Harishankar Temple and Gandhamardhan hills are also vulnerable and lack proper security and safeguards. 

The incident highlights the urgent need for protection of the sites. The Gandhmardan Yuba Surakhya Parishad and the Kosal Mukti Morcha have lodged a complaint with Khaprakhol police, seeking strong action against the culprits.