Odisha Govt allocates ₹2,496 crore to boost agri-entrepreneurship, seeks stronger bank support

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has earmarked ₹2,496.40 crore over the next five years to promote agri-entrepreneurship under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo announced on Wednesday, while urging banks to play a more proactive role in providing timely credit to entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector.

The announcement was made at the State Level Bankers’ Meet 2026, organised by the Agricultural Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (APICOL) under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment at Lok Seva Bhawan.

Addressing representatives of banks, financial institutions and government departments, Singh Deo said transforming agriculture into a profitable and sustainable enterprise remains one of the state’s key priorities. He stressed that access to institutional finance is critical for nurturing agri-entrepreneurs and expanding agribusiness opportunities across Odisha.

The Deputy Chief Minister appreciated APICOL’s efforts in promoting agribusiness and creating opportunities for rural youth, women entrepreneurs and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) through the MKUY scheme. He said the substantial financial allocation would further strengthen entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector and encourage more youth to establish agri-based enterprises.

The meeting focused on improving institutional credit flow to agri-entrepreneurs, simplifying financing procedures, strengthening coordination between banks and implementing agencies, and enhancing the participation of rural youth and women in agribusiness ventures.

Officials and banks were also felicitated for their performance in various categories during the programme.

Among those present were Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director of Agriculture and Food Production Shubham Saxena, Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman, APICOL Managing Director Shubhranshu Mishra, the Convener of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), senior officials from NABARD and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Lead District Managers from across Odisha, and representatives of public and private sector banks.