Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government inked 17 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with various investors during the plenary session on ‘Agri Industry & Food Processing’ on the second day of the Utkarsh Odisha – Make In Odisha Conclave 2025 on Wednesday.
On the occasion, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo, who is also the Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, launched a new policy on cold storages in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh Deo said, “This is the best time to invest in Odisha.”
He went on to add, “The food processing industry in Odisha is capable of bringing new innovations. We are encouraging farmers or entrepreneurs under the Chief Minister’s Agriculture Industry Scheme. Our government is working towards smart farming and digital marketing. Organic farming is the focus of our government.”
Singh Deo appealed to the investors to come and invest in Odisha’s agro-industry and food processing industry. “Young entrepreneurs should also come forward and we will bring a new revolution in this industry. The state government has brought a new policy for cold storage.”
Speaking on the occasion, Gokulananda Mallick, Odisha Minister for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, said, “Odisha has a lot of potential. The state is ready to play a leading role. We have ample potential for setting up agro-based industries. We are far behind in this sector compared to other countries.”
“Odisha has a lot of potential. Odisha is ready to take the lead. We have enough potential to establish agro-industry. However, Odisha is far behind in fish production and export. While the seafood industry in India has a market of Rs 60,000 crore, in Odisha it is limited to only Rs 2,000 to 3,000 crore. We have to increase it. Young entrepreneurs will be one of the pillars of a developed Odisha. We are exporting mangoes, dragon fruit, turmeric, etc. from Odisha.”