Krushi Odisha-2026 Inaugurated to Drive Innovation and Market-Led Growth in Agriculture

Bhubaneswar: Krushi Odisha-2026 was inaugurated on Wednesday by the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, at the Biju Patnaik Playground, Baramunda, marking a major push towards transforming Odisha’s agricultural sector through innovation, sustainability and stronger market linkages.

In his inaugural address, the Deputy Chief Minister said Krushi Odisha-2026 aims to revolutionise agriculture in the State by promoting modern technologies, improving farm profitability and strengthening farmers’ access to markets. He emphasised that such platforms are crucial for making agriculture more resilient, competitive and future-ready. Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, highlighted that Krushi Odisha provides a vital space for institutional interaction and partnerships to strengthen the overall agricultural ecosystem.

The event outlined key objectives of Krushi Odisha-2026, including showcasing best products, practices and emerging technologies that enhance farm income, building a deeper understanding of value-chain management in agri-commodities, and creating a common platform for interaction among market players, service providers, agri-entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders.

Two technical sessions were organised for farmers on the first day, focusing on “Market-Driven Specialty Rice Cultivation” and “Promoting Seedpreneurs for Sustainable Seed Production.” During the inaugural session, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed to mark the launch of the Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme. The Deputy Chief Minister and other dignitaries also unveiled a compendium of success stories on rice fallow management and a handbook on agricultural input recommendations for sustainable production and crop protection.

The programme featured live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies such as the use of drones in agriculture, exhibitions showcasing best farming practices, and networking opportunities for agri-entrepreneurs and institutions to explore profitable collaborations.