National

Growth of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in Odisha Estimated at 3.3%

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2025

According to the latest Odisha Economic Survey (OES), the agriculture and allied sectors in Odisha are projected to grow at a rate of 3.3% in 2024-25, which aligns with the growth rate observed at the national level. Within this sector, livestock and fisheries are anticipated to experience significant growth, underscoring their increasing role in boosting agricultural development. Specifically, the livestock sector is expected to grow by 6.2%, while both fisheries and forestry are anticipated to expand by 6.7% during the same period.

Agriculture is a fundamental part of Odisha’s economy, providing livelihoods for over 60% of the population and employing 49% of the workforce. The report notes that this sector is expected to contribute around 18.9% to the state’s gross value added (GVA) in 2024-25, with a consistent growth rate of 3.3%, mirroring that of the entire country.

The structural changes in agriculture in recent years highlight the increasing contributions of livestock and fisheries to the overall agricultural GVA, as evidenced by their impressive growth rates. To bolster agricultural growth and enhance farmers’ income, the government has implemented several initiatives, including an input subsidy of INR 800 per quintal for paddy prices exceeding the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,300, direct cash transfers for purchasing inputs, promoting crop diversification, launching a dedicated mission for cash crops, as well as comprehensive rice fallow management and infrastructure development.

Additionally, the government has rolled out various measures to support the livestock and fisheries sectors, such as the Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana (MKY) and Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY), aimed at boosting these sectors and diversifying farmers’ income sources. These strategic programs are intended not only to improve productivity and sustainability but also to promote long-term socio-economic development within the sector.

However, access to better market options remains a significant challenge for farmers in Odisha, largely due to small landholdings and limited marketable surplus. To address this issue, the government has launched initiatives to strengthen marketing infrastructure, such as modernizing mandis, developing cold storage facilities, and promoting exports. The establishment of a cold storage facility in each subdivision will empower farmers to store their produce securely and sell it when market conditions are most favorable, thus minimizing the pressure to sell during distress periods.

The creation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) has been pivotal in enhancing market access, ensuring collective bargaining, and allowing farmers to capitalize on economies of scale. The government has also signed multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with exporters to promote agricultural and horticultural exports.

To advance and diversify the agricultural sector, the state is actively encouraging crop diversification by promoting high-value crops such as pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural products. Furthermore, the government is advocating for climate-resilient farming practices, including the cultivation of millets through the Shree Anna Abhiyan, conserving traditional seed varieties, and fostering organic agriculture to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure sustainable productivity, as stated in the OES.

National

Delhi Techie Found Dead During Honeymoon Trip

Published

1 day ago

June 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

National: A 27-year-old IT professional from Delhi was found dead at a homestay in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The woman, P Radha Gayatri, had gone on a honeymoon trip with her husband.

According to police, the couple checked into a homestay on June 14. Her husband said they had consumed alcohol and went to sleep late at night.

The next morning, he found Gayatri unconscious on the floor. Police said she was lying in a pool of urine, and blood was coming from her nose. She was declared dead at the scene.

The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. Police are investigating the case and waiting for the autopsy report to determine the cause of death.

National

Pakistan Ranked World’s Most Polluted Country in 2025

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2026

Namma Kudla

Islamabad: Pakistan has been ranked as the most polluted country in the world in 2025, according to a new report released by Swiss air quality monitoring company IQ Air.

The report found that Pakistan’s average PM2.5 pollution level was 13 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). PM2.5 refers to tiny harmful particles in the air that can enter the lungs and cause serious health problems.

IQ Air said that only 13 countries and territories met the WHO air quality guideline of less than 5 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter of air in 2025. This was an improvement from seven countries in 2024.

The report also revealed that 130 out of 143 monitored countries and territories failed to meet the WHO standard.

Bangladesh was ranked as the second most polluted country, while Tajikistan secured the third position. Chad, which was the most polluted country in 2024, ranked fourth in 2025.

Experts said that Chad’s lower ranking may be linked to missing pollution data. In March 2025, the United States ended a global air quality monitoring program due to budget cuts. The program had collected pollution data from US embassies and consulates around the world.

Christi Chester Schroeder, the lead author of the report, said that the loss of data makes it difficult to know the true pollution levels in some countries.

Because of data shortages, Burundi, Turkmenistan and Togo were not included in the 2025 report.

The report also identified Loni in India as the world’s most polluted city. The city recorded an average PM2.5 level of 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter. Hotan in China ranked second with 109.6 micrograms.

According to the report, the 25 most polluted cities in the world were all located in India, Pakistan and China.

Only 14 percent of cities worldwide met the WHO air quality standard in 2025. This was lower than the 17 percent recorded in the previous year.

The report noted that large wildfires in Canada increased air pollution levels across the United States and even affected parts of Europe.

Countries that met the WHO air quality guideline in 2025 included Australia, Iceland, Estonia and Panama.

Meanwhile, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia reported significant improvements in air quality. Experts said wetter and windier La Niña weather conditions helped reduce pollution levels in these countries.

Mongolia also recorded a 31 percent drop in average PM2.5 levels during the year.

Overall, 75 countries reported lower pollution levels in 2025, while 54 countries experienced an increase in air pollution, according to the IQ Air report

National

Indian Air Force AN-32 Transport Aircraft Crashes

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2026

Namma Kudla

Dispur: An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday. The aircraft caught fire after the crash.

According to reports, the AN-32 aircraft went down within the premises of the air base. A fire broke out immediately after the accident.

Rescue and firefighting teams rushed to the spot and launched an operation to control the flames. The fire was brought under control after their prompt response.

The exact cause of the crash is not known yet. Authorities are investigating the incident.

So far, there have been no reports of any deaths or injuries. The Indian Air Force has confirmed the accident and said that more details will be shared after a complete assessment of the situation.

Further information is awaited.