Bhubaneswar: Inaugurating the three-day conclave Kalahandi Dialogue, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday announced that the Regional Research & Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS), Bhawanipatna, will henceforth be the Centre of Excellence for cotton, tropical fruit, crops and aromatic rice.
He also announced opening of five PG departments on Agronomy, Soil Science & Agriculture, Chemistry, Entomology, Plant Physiology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture.
As his health condition is not well, Naveen joined the conclave through videoconferencing from the state Secretariat.
“Kalahandi is a story of resilience and hope. In the last few years, Kalahandi has scripted a new story. It is the story of growth and resilience, and all credits go to the people of Kalahandi. Transformation of Kalahandi is visible,” he said.
From subsistence agriculture, Kalahandi has now become the grain basket of Odisha. Area under irrigated area in the district has increased by 115 per cent from about 1,15,500 hectares in 2000-01 to another 1,32,500 hectares during 2017-18, the CM said.
“This turnaround was possible only due to sheer perseverance and hard work of the people of Kalahandi,” he pointed out.
During past two decades Kalahandi has witnessed massive infrastructure development both physical and social, while a new government medical college and hospital will soon come up in Bhawanipatna, he further stated.