In a major push to strengthen Odisha’s agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four state-run corporations for the financial year 2026-27. The agreements aim to enhance agricultural productivity, improve farm infrastructure, promote agri-entrepreneurship, and increase farmers’ income across the state.

The MoUs were signed with the Odisha Agro-Industrial Corporation (OAIC), Odisha Agriculture Promotion and Capital Investment Corporation Limited (APICOL), Odisha State Seed Corporation Limited (OSSC), and the Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation Limited (OSCDCL).

The agreements were signed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Agriculture Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, who also serves as Chairman of the four corporations.

Addressing the gathering, Singh Deo urged the corporations to work in close coordination with the Agriculture Department to accelerate agricultural development and improve the welfare of farmers. He also reviewed the achievements of the corporations and their targets for the current financial year.

Under the new targets, OAIC plans to procure 54,000 tonnes of fertilisers, distribute 8,400 tractors, 1,200 power tillers, and other farm machinery. The corporation will also implement 6,240 electric lift irrigation points and 1,200 shallow tubewell projects under the Jalanidhi scheme, besides targeting horticulture sales worth ₹24 crore. OAIC aims to achieve a total business turnover of ₹1,200 crore during the year.

APICOL has set a target of establishing 1,659 agri-based commercial enterprises with a Capital Investment Subsidy (CIS) of ₹330 crore. It has earmarked ₹300 crore for the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY) and ₹30 crore to support cold storage infrastructure.

Meanwhile, OSCDCL will undertake hybrid cashew plantation across 500 hectares and maintain 761.22 hectares of existing plantations. The Deputy Chief Minister stressed the need for stronger branding and marketing of Odisha’s cashew products.

The OSSC will focus on strengthening seed production and supply by introducing high-yielding, climate-resilient seed varieties while conducting training programmes for government officials and seed growers. Singh Deo also directed the corporation to prioritise the promotion of short-duration crop varieties to improve climate resilience and farm productivity.