Odisha CM criticises previous government over ‘failed agricultural missions’

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi criticised the previous government led by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik on Friday, accusing it of misleading the State's farmers.

Highlighting the ineffectiveness of certain initiatives, the CM pointed to the ‘Potato Mission’, which, he argued, failed to deliver any real benefits to farmers.

“The previous government only engaged in propaganda without taking meaningful steps,” the CM stated.

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CM Majhi likened the government's approach to performing multiple surgeries only for the patient to eventually succumb, symbolising the dire situation of the State's agricultural sector. These challenges have led to Odisha struggling to meet its demands for basic commodities, including potatoes, tomatoes, and eggs, resulting in dependency on imports from other states.

“Apparently, nothing was then done except launching the Potato Mission at sometimes and the Jackfruit Mission at others. As you all know very well when the Potato Mission was started by the previous government, what was the outcome?” the CM questioned.

“Where the seeds were brought from, what was the quality of the seeds, how much of the seeds were utilised in agricultural fields, and accordingly how it was cultivated and how much of potato could be produced?” the CM continued.

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“As a result, the State has been depending on West Bengal for potatoes,” the CM expressed.

Our State is an agriculture-based economy, where around 70 per cent of the population is associated with agriculture and its allied sectors, the CM added.

Worth mentioning, the CM attended an event titled ‘Krushi Odisha 2025’ organised by the State government in Bhubaneswar. He said this in his address to a huge gathering.