Odisha Observed Akshaya Tritiya Marking Beginning Of Farming Season

BHUBANESWAR: Farmers across Odisha on Monday observed Akshaya Tritiya to mark the beginning of the farming season in the state.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik kicked off the ‘Akhi Muthi’ ceremony and ploughed land in Pipili.

He also addressed a state level Krushak Divas programme where the chief minister highlighted various initiatives taken by the state government for the benefit of farmers.

He said the state government had made a separate budget for agriculture sector while an agriculture cabinet has been constituted which has directed to form a task force for agriculture related schemes.

He also said one lakh borewells would be dug in next one year for irrigation facilities.

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh also donned the role of a farmer to observe Akshaya Tritiya.

Singh observed the day by doing the ceremonial ploughing in the fields at Kandarpur in Cuttack.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and state BJP president Basant Panda also accompanied him during the occasion.

Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Prasad Harichandan along with several senior leaders also observed Akshaya Tritiya by sowing paddy seeds and ploughing lands.