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BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 27, 2025
With the impending Cyclone ‘Montha’ approaching the Odisha coast, the State Agriculture Department convened a high-level preparatory meeting under the chairmanship of Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, to ensure readiness and swift response.
Dr. Padhee directed that all agriculture officers remain on duty until October 31, with strict instructions that no leave would be permitted during this critical period. Any violation of the directive may invite disciplinary action. He further emphasized the need to disseminate the department’s advisory to farmers through all possible communication channels. The advisory includes precautionary measures such as covering and shifting harvested crops to higher, safer grounds and draining excess water from agricultural fields to minimize damage.
Highlighting the post-cyclone response plan, the Principal Secretary instructed that agriculture officers must immediately visit affected areas once the floodwater recedes to assess crop damage. As directed by Deputy Chief Minister Shri K. V. Singhdeo, every affected farmer must be included in the crop loss assessment process without exception.
According to official data, around 14.17 lakh hectares of agricultural land in the state are insured. Farmers covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) can register claims through the NCIP portal, call the toll-free number 14447, or use the WhatsApp chatbot 7065514447 for assistance.
The Agriculture Department has also set up a fully operational control room to coordinate cyclone-related agricultural support and damage assessment.
The meeting was attended by Director of Agriculture Shubham Saxena, Additional Secretary Dr. Ganeshwar Jena, senior departmental officers, Chief District Agriculture Officers, and Assistant Horticulture Officers from all districts through video conferencing.
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