Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today asked officials to prepare a roadmap to overcome the prevailing drought situation in the state.
Patnaik issued this direction after holding a discussion with different farmers' bodies during his visit to Bargarh district to address a BJD rally.
He met members of at least five prominent farmers' associations of western Odisha who have been struggling to cope with the agricultural crisis owing to deficient rainfall this year.
During the discussion, the farmers wanted relaxation in paddy quality during procurement, adequate seeds for Rabi crop, proper irrigation facilities, renovation of minor irrigation projects, energising lift irrigation projects, provision of minimum support price (MSP) of crops to farmers, feeder provisions and market linkages, they said.
Patnaik asked officials including Chief Secretary G C Pati to prepare a plan keeping in view the immediate requirement of the farmers in the drought-hit 21 districts.
Of the 30 districts in the state, 139 blocks in 21 districts have been hit by drought.
