Odisha Signs MoUs with Four Agri Corporations to Accelerate Farm Development

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Friday unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the agriculture sector by signing annual Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four state-owned corporations, setting targets for farm mechanisation, irrigation, agri-entrepreneurship, quality seed production and cashew development during the 2026-27 financial year.

The agreements were signed by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment with the Odisha Agro-Industrial Corporation (OAIC), Odisha Agriculture Promotion and Capital Investment Corporation Limited (APICOL), Odisha State Seed Corporation Limited (OSSC) and Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation Limited (OSCDCL). Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment & Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo reviewed the corporations’ performance and outlined priorities for the year ahead.

Addressing the officials, Singh Deo stressed the need for greater coordination among the corporations to ensure government programmes directly benefit farmers. He urged them to adopt modern technologies, improve efficiency and contribute to the state’s agricultural transformation.

As part of its annual action plan, OAIC aims to procure 54,000 tonnes of fertilisers, supply 8,400 tractors, 1,200 power tillers and other farm equipment. The corporation will also implement 6,240 electric lift irrigation projects and 1,200 shallow tube wells under the Jalanidhi scheme, while targeting horticultural input sales worth around ₹24 crore. It has set an overall business target of ₹1,200 crore for the financial year.

APICOL has proposed to support the establishment of 1,659 agri-based enterprises with a Capital Investment Subsidy of ₹330 crore. The corporation has earmarked ₹300 crore for the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY) and ₹30 crore for financial assistance to cold storage projects.

The Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation will undertake hybrid cashew replantation over 500 hectares and continue maintenance of 761.22 hectares of existing plantations. The Deputy Chief Minister asked the corporation to focus on brand building and better market linkages to improve returns for growers.

Meanwhile, the Odisha State Seeds Corporation will strengthen the state’s seed production and distribution system by promoting high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties. It will also conduct training programmes for seed growers and government officials. Singh Deo directed the corporation to give priority to short-duration crop varieties to help farmers better cope with changing climatic conditions.

The MoU signing was attended by Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, who also chairs the four corporations, along with senior officials and managing directors of the respective organisations.