Women-Centric OUAT Farmers’ Fair 2026 Promotes Agri-Entrepreneurship

Bhubaneswar: Emphasising the growing role of women in agriculture, the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) organised the OUAT Farmers’ Fair – 2026 with a special focus on “Women Agri-Entrepreneur,” bringing together farmers, experts, and institutions on a common platform.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo inaugurated the event and highlighted the shift from conventional farming to technology-driven, market-oriented agriculture, encouraging farmers to adopt innovative practices and emerge as entrepreneurs.

Addressing the gathering, he acknowledged the contribution of farmers to Odisha’s agricultural growth, while calling for greater adoption of modern techniques. Gokulanand Mallick, Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, stressed the importance of integrated farming models in strengthening women’s economic empowerment.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav noted that agriculture remains central to economic development and highlighted the encouraging participation of women, who constituted nearly half of the attendees.

Vice-Chancellor Parvat Raul spoke about OUAT’s continued efforts in promoting research-driven farming solutions, while senior academicians including Prasannajit Mishra and Niranjan Panda were present.

The fair featured exhibitions showcasing agricultural innovations, improved technologies, and best practices, alongside the felicitation of progressive women farmers. Publications such as Chasira Sansar, Compendium on Agricultural Technologies, and Cost of Cultivation of Important Crops were released to support farmers with practical knowledge.

Achievement awards were also presented to various All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) for their contributions to agricultural research and development.

With more than 15 stalls and participation from multiple institutions, the event served as a dynamic platform to promote knowledge exchange, innovation, and agri-entrepreneurship across the state.