Garvita Odia
Bhubaneswar, 21/01/2026: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, has awarded the Odisha State Cooperative Bank (OSCB) and UCO Bank, Odisha unit (SLBC Convenor for Odisha) for their outstanding performance in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)- the Crop Insurance Scheme, during Kharif 2024 and Rabi 2024–25. OSCB secured First Prize in the Large State – Cooperative Bank category, while UCO Bank, Odisha received Third Prize in the SLBC category at the 13th National Review Conference of PMFBY held at Bengaluru on 18–19 January.
It is pertinent to mention that during Kharif 2024, out of a total enrolment of 22.41 lakh farmers under PMFBY in the State, these Banks have together enrolled more than 15 lakh farmers, covering both loanee and non-loanee categories. Similarly, during Rabi 2024-25, these Banks have enrolled more than 1 lakh farmers out of the total enrolment of 1.81 lakh in the State.
The awards were formally handed over today by the Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, in the presence of Director, Agriculture & Food Production, Shri Subham Saxena, Additional Director, Smt Litty Pattanayak, Joint Secretary, Cooperation Department, Sri Sangram Rout, CGM, UCO Bank Shri Gautam Patra, and In-Charge SLBC Shri Lingaraj Nayak and Senior officers of the department including the Crop Insurance team.
The recognition reflects the effective implementation of PMFBY in Odisha through strong convergence between the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department and the Cooperation Department said by the ACS, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Dept. Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee. Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Energy, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has expressed his happiness & congratulated both the departments for achieving this endeavour.
