New Delhi/Bhubaneswar- Bargarh MP Pradeep Purohit has appealed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to significantly enhance the financial assistance provided for ginger, turmeric, and palm oil cultivation in Odisha. Highlighting the crucial role of spices and palm oil in boosting rural economy and agricultural self-reliance, the MP emphasized that current subsidy levels are inadequate for farmers to sustain their rising input costs.
In his proposal, Purohit urged the central government to triple the existing aid under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM), particularly for the cultivation of ginger and turmeric. Presently, farmers receive a subsidy of Rs 40,000 per hectare, despite the fact that actual cultivation expenses — including irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, storage, and transportation — can go up to Rs 2.5–3 lakh per hectare. He demanded that the subsidy be increased to Rs1.2 lakh per hectare to provide meaningful support to farmers.
Odisha, with its 30 districts actively engaged in spice cultivation, is one of the leading producers of ginger and turmeric in the country. However, Purohit pointed out that the financial aid under central schemes has not kept pace with the growing costs of modern agriculture. The current support amount, he said, is insufficient and discouraging for small and marginal farmers.
Similarly, the MP sought enhanced incentives for palm oil cultivation in the state. He said palm oil is emerging as a commercially valuable crop with long-term potential, but the progress in this sector also needs better financial backing to attract more farmers and ensure sustainable growth.
Purohit stressed that boosting assistance for these crops will not only help improve farmers’ income but also strengthen Odisha’s path toward agricultural self-sufficiency. He urged the Union Minister to take immediate action so that more farmers can benefit from the schemes and contribute to the national mission of doubling farmers’ income.
He concluded by saying that increasing the subsidy will uplift the morale of farmers and bring a much-needed push to spice and oil crop production, ultimately benefiting lakhs of cultivators across Odisha.
