Odisha Tops in Fund Utilisation Under PMKSY 2.0
State achieves 83% fund use in watershed development, earns praise from Union Agriculture Minister
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has emerged as the best-performing state in India in the utilisation of funds under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0). The achievement was highlighted during a review meeting chaired by Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The Union Minister, who reviewed the performance of all states and Union Territories including Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh through video conference, lauded Odisha for making efficient use of the scheme funds. The state has utilised 83 percent of the total outlay since the inception of the programme, securing the top rank in the country.
The WDC-PMKSY 2.0 programme is being implemented during the period from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an overall outlay of Rs 759.27 crore for Odisha. The funding is shared in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the state. The initiative aims to enhance water availability, improve agricultural productivity, and restore degraded land through integrated watershed management approaches.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, presented Odisha’s performance during the review meeting. He underscored the state’s proactive steps in implementing the scheme, ensuring timely utilisation of funds, and delivering outcomes on the ground.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated Odisha for its commitment and efficiency in executing the programme. He emphasised that Odisha’s model of implementation could serve as an example for other states to follow.
Singh Deo, in his remarks, said that the success reflects the combined efforts of field officials, soil conservation teams, and farmers’ participation in watershed projects. “Odisha has always prioritised sustainable agriculture and resource management, and this recognition further motivates us to scale up efforts,” he said.
Highlighting future plans, Singh Deo informed that seven new projects have been sanctioned for Odisha under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 during FY 2025-26. These projects will cover an additional 30,212 hectares of rainfed and degraded land, with a total outlay of Rs 82.10 crore.
The projects are expected to boost the productive potential of marginal and rain-dependent farming areas by promoting integrated watershed management. This includes soil conservation measures, water harvesting structures, afforestation, and livelihood support for rural communities.
The review meeting also saw the participation of Odisha’s Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Principal Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, and Director of Soil Conservation & Watershed Management Subrat Kumar Panda. Senior officials from various departments joined the session to deliberate on strategies for maximising the impact of watershed projects.
Officials noted that Odisha’s achievement is not only a matter of fund utilisation but also of effective ground-level execution. Watershed projects implemented in the state have improved soil fertility, increased water availability for irrigation, and enhanced livelihoods in rural and tribal-dominated regions.
With a strong track record of implementation and new projects in the pipeline, Odisha is looking to further strengthen its role in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. The state government has reiterated its commitment to expanding integrated watershed management, particularly in vulnerable rainfed areas, ensuring that farmers benefit from improved productivity and resilience against climate variability.
By 2026, Odisha aims to complete the ongoing and newly sanctioned projects under PMKSY 2.0, positioning itself as a national leader in watershed development and climate-resilient farming.
