image credits: Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four key state corporations for the financial year 2025-26. Signed on Friday at Lok Seva Bhavan in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, these agreements with Odisha Agro-Industries Corporation (OAIC), Agricultural Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (APICOL), Odisha State Seeds Corporation Limited (OSSC), and Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation Limited (OSCDCL) aim to strengthen infrastructure, enhance productivity, and empower farmers across Odisha. With a remarkable 94.7% utilization of its approved budget, the department is poised to drive inclusive and sustainable growth in the farm sector.
How will Odisha’s Agriculture MoUs Strengthen the Seed Supply Chain?
The collaboration with OSSC focuses on enhancing the seed production and supply chain. The initiative ensures timely access to certified seeds, promoting seed replacement and varietal improvement through coordinated farmer awareness campaigns. With a turnover target of ₹56 crore, this effort is expected to enhance crop quality and yield. By prioritizing high-quality seeds, the department aims to lay a strong foundation for sustainable agricultural practices.
Empowering Farmers with Modern Infrastructure
The MoU with OAIC aims at modernising agricultural infrastructure. The corporation has set an ambitious turnover target of ₹1,000 crore for FY 2025-26, which includes procuring 45,000 tonnes of fertilizers and pesticides worth ₹20 crore, alongside distributing 7,000 tractors, 1,000 power tillers, and other machinery. Additionally, OAIC will establish 5,200 electric-powered small lift irrigation projects, 4,800 solar-powered water tanks, and 1,000 shallow tube wells, while allocating ₹30 crore for construction work. These initiatives aim to enhance irrigation efficiency, reduce dependency on traditional energy sources, and improve access to modern farming tools.
Fostering Agribusiness and Economic Growth
APICOL’s partnership is geared toward fostering entrepreneurship and economic resilience in the agricultural sector. The corporation plans to create 6,500 new agribusiness enterprises, supported by subsidies worth ₹250 crore. Of this, ₹200 crore is allocated to the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), and ₹50 crore is dedicated to a Cold Storage Support Scheme. These measures aim to improve post-harvest management and reduce losses, enabling farmers and entrepreneurs to tap into new markets and income opportunities.
Odisha’s Agriculture MoUs Revitalising Cashew Cultivation
The Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation Limited will undertake hybrid cashew replanting over 500 hectares and maintain plantations across 1,336.22 hectares. Additionally, it aims to produce 35 lakh hybrid cashew grafts through its 20 clonal nurseries.
MoU with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee attended the signing ceremony. Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo felicitated the managing directors of OAIC and APICOL for their exemplary performance in the previous financial year. The partnerships align with Odisha’s broader vision of integrating innovation and sustainability into agriculture, as evidenced by the recent MoU with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to promote climate-smart practices and precision farming.
