Bhubaneswar: There are plans to use organic rice to prepare Mahaparasad in the Jagannath Temple, Puri, to maintain uniformity and improve quality, said chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Padhee, at the Krushi Odisha-2025 here on Saturday.
“The state govt and SJTA are working on bringing reforms in the temple management. SJTA has proposed to use only organic rice, which is grown without the use of any chemicals, in the preparation of Mahaprasad,” said Padhee.
Padhee, who is also the agriculture secretary said to promote production of scented rice, the state govt is providing a minimum support price of Rs 4,100. “Odisha is the first state in the country that took this step to support farmers in organic farming practice and ensure their development through this initiative,” Padhee said. He praised farmer Sudam Sahu for conserving over 1,000 native rice varieties.
Speaking on the occasion, deputy chief minister and agriculture minister K V Singh Deo said Odisha plays a vital role in scented rice production in the country. Highlighting the importance of nature-based production and the medicinal properties of plants, Singh Deo said the state govt is committed to encouraging farmers at all levels while making farmer-centric decisions.