Odisha has won the Krishi Karman Award for 2014-15 for being the best performing state in overall foodgrains production among category-II states in India.
"Our state has won the prestigious Krishi Karman Award for the fourth time in the last five years and it has been a trend setter in agriculture for the other states in the country," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told a cabinet meeting today, official sources said.
The award instituted by Union Ministry of Agriculture consists of a trophy, a citation and a cash amount of Rs five crore.
"Congratulate state's hard working farmers for Krishi Karman award for total food grains, 2014-15. The Cabinet dedicates the award to our hard working farmers," Patnaik tweeted.
Chief Secretary A P Padhi said the state government would continue its effort in improving agriculture and encourage the farming community.
In a letter to Odisha government, the Centre also asked the state government to select one man and woman farmer to receive the Krishi Karman Award for their contribution as progressive and innovative farmers.
Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, besides Odisha are category-II states.
In 2014-15, Odisha produced 118 lakh metric tonne of foodgrains against 96 lakh metric tonne in 2013-14, officials added.
Krishi Karman awards were instituted in the year 2010-11 to reward the best performing states in foodgrains production.
