Great emphasis on horticulture in State, says Naveen Patnaik

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Sunday said steps were being taken to make agriculture a profitable exercise by laying greater emphasis on horticulture activities in the State. Mr. Patnaik was addressing farmers on occasion of Akshaya Tritiya which is also celebrated as Farmers' Day. The 2008 agriculture policy would create opportunities for production of flower, fruits and vegetables, he said.

The Chief Minister said farmers, especially small and marginal, would take advantage of the horticulture and enhance their income.

The administration was trying to reach out to small farmers through implementation of various government welfare schemes and moreover nutritional level of people would be protected through priority on agriculture, he said.

State Agriculture Minister Damador Rout said Amrapalli mango produced from Orissa was all set to enter market this year. Among others State Panchayati Raj Minister Prafulla Samal and MLA Ashok Panda were present. The State-level Farmers' Day was celebrated at Itipur on the outskirts of the Capital City.

New crop season

The auspicious Akshaya Tritiya was celebrated across the State with farmers embarking on new crop season from Sunday. Thousands of people were anxiously waiting to enter the newly-built houses. Moreover, the day is considered to be auspicious to start any project.

Meanwhile, jewellery shopkeepers have unleashed advertisement campaigns attracting people to buy gold jewellery to mark the occasion. Long queues were seen outside jewellery shops.