Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo today inaugurated the OUAT Farmers’ Fair 2026 at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) campus here, themed “Women Entrepreneurship for Viksit Krishi.”
The two-day event (March 20-21) at Krushi Shiksha Sadan & Krushak Bhavan celebrates women’s pivotal role in modern agriculture and aims to foster self-reliant farming.
Addressing the gathering, Singh Deo expressed immense pride in Odisha’s farmers, calling them the true architects of the state’s prosperity. “This fair is a platform to showcase their resilience, innovation, and vision for a self-reliant Odisha,” he said. He was joined by Gokula Nanda Mallik, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and MSMEs, reaffirming the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and entrepreneurs as twin pillars of growth.
Singh Deo highlighted the transformation of agriculture into smart, entrepreneurial, and industrial-scale farming. “Today, the farmer is not just a cultivator but an agricultural entrepreneur. Odisha leads above the national average in production, thanks to our Annadatas,” he added, thanking farmers for their contributions.
Minister Mallik emphasized government initiatives for women’s self-reliance, urging women farmers to adopt mixed farming and lead in building a developed Odisha.Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department, Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, described developed agriculture as the cornerstone of a developed India, noting that 50% of participants are women.
OUAT Vice Chancellor Prof. Pravat Kumar Roul showcased the university’s operational successes. Dean Extension Professor Prasannajit Mishra and Professor Niranjan Panda were among key dignitaries present.
The event honored outstanding women farmers for their contributions and entrepreneurial achievements, distributing safety kits. Achievement awards were presented to various AICRP projects of OUAT for excellence.
