Odisha Cabinet Launches Mukhyamantri Maka Mission to Boost Crop Diversity and Maize Production

The Mukhyamantri Maka Mission (MMM) program is allocated a budget of Rs 481.94 crore over a span of five years.

The Odisha cabinet, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has introduced the Mukhyamantri Maka Mission (MMM) to support maize production. This program is set to diversify crops, improve maize production, and enhance the value chain for marketing. The program is allocated a budget of Rs 481.94 crore over a span of five years.

Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena declared that the MMM program would be executed more scientifically and progressively in order to enhance the production, and productivity of diverse crops such as pulses, oilseeds, cotton, jute, and maize. This initiative is projected to generate job possibilities in rural areas and increase agriculture revenue across the state.

To support this scheme, the state government has agreed to increase the allotted budget provided for fertilizer procurement and prepositioning from Rs 90 crore to Rs 150 crore. This additional investment will assure a more robust supply of fertilizers, which will aid crop diversification and agricultural output.

The Mukhyamantri Maka Mission aims to promote maize cultivation, which is important to the state's food security. The mission is expected to benefit thousands of farmers, making agriculture more economically viable.

Furthermore, the Odisha cabinet suggested incorporating the Mundari language in the Constitution of India's 8th schedule, fostering linguistic variety and cultural legacy within the state.

The government also announced the establishment of three new directorates within the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department, focusing on museums, archaeology, and public libraries.

Another significant development is that the Odisha government is planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM) to create a Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) University campus in Bhubaneswar. The proposed NMIMS campus will be a learning hub that encourages national and worldwide engagement in the field of education, with 30% of its students accepted on merit from the state.

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For this prominent university, the state government has leased 40 acres of land near Goudakashipur, Jatni.

Furthermore, the cabinet approved a proposed bill to alter the Odisha Land Reforms Act, 1960, to offer 'raiyati' rights to sub-tenants and successors-in-interest who own land classified as 'Sikkim,' a type of land. This amendment is expected to benefit approximately three lakh farmers in the state's 18 districts.

The cabinet also approved tenders worth roughly Rs 1,867 crore, including maintenance costs for 15 years, for the implementation of four irrigation projects in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Nabarangpur, Angul, and Dhenkanal.

Furthermore, various recommendations from departments such as Revenue and Disaster Management, Commerce and Transport, and Higher Education were approved, demonstrating the government's dedication to Odisha's overall development and prosperity.

The Mukhyamantri Maka Mission aims to promote sustainable agriculture and increase farmers' income. The program is set to benefit a wide range of farmenrs, from small-scale farmers to those engaged in the agricultural marketing and processing sectors.