Bhubaneswar(SunstarTVBureau): Akshaya Tritiya remained a low-key affair in the state on Saturday owing to the lockdown to control the alarming rise in Covid-19 cases. In Odisha, the day is also celebrated as Krushak Divas, marking the commencement of kharif agricultural activities before the onset of monsoon.
Governor Ganeshi Lal, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan greeted people on the occasion and wished for a good harvest and the prosperity of farmers.
Akshaya Tritiya is considered as a major festival in the state as around 70% of the its population depends on agriculture. It contributes around 20% to the state’s economy. State agriculture minister Arun Kumar Sahoo and leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties took part in the agrarian festival and performed the Akhi Muthi Anukula, the ceremonial act of sowing seeds in a paddy field.
“I thank the farming community for their hard work and contribution in making Odisha one of the leading agrarian states in the country. We are a rice-surplus state. Basmati rice grown in Odisha is exported to other countries. Despite lockdown, the state government has allowed agricultural activities for the benefit of our farmers,” Sahoo said. He performed the ceremonial sowing of seeds at Khedapada village under the Balugaon panchayat in Nayagarh district. He added that the state government has been taking the necessary measures to facilitate the availability of seeds, fertilizers and easy credit for farmers.
Odisha Pradesh Kissan’s Congress president Amiya Kumar Patnaiak also took part in the Akhi Muthi Anukula ritual at Dengapadar village under the Kukudakhandi block of Ganjam district. “I pray before Lord Jagannath and Goddess Laxmi for a good harvest this year,” he said.
According to officials, around 62 lakh hectares of land will be cultivated during kharif this year. While the state government had set a target of producing 96 lakh metric tonne (MT) of foodgrain during last year’s kharif, it is likely to increase it this time around.
Meanwhile, the day also marked the beginning of Chandan Yatra of the deities of major shrines, including Lord Jagannath. The construction of chariots for the Rath Yatra festival also commenced on the occasion.
(Sources: Times of India)
