Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has earmarked Rs14,701 crore for the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department in Odisha’s annual budget for 2025-26, reinforcing the state’s commitment to rural development and agricultural growth.
Presenting theRs2.90 lakh crore budget in the Assembly, Majhi highlighted that nearly 48% of Odisha’s workforce depends on agriculture, with over 80% of the population residing in rural areas. To strengthen the sector, the total allocation for agriculture and allied activities has been increased to Rs37,838 crore—12% higher than last year.
Among key initiatives, the Samrudha Krushak Yojana saw its budget rise from Rs5,000 crore to Rs6,000 crore, benefiting around 13 lakh farmers during the Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25. Similarly, Rs2,020 crore has been set aside for CM-KISAN, ensuring timely financial aid and input support.
The state government is also pushing for crop diversification, with Rs695 crore allocated to promote non-paddy crops such as millets, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables. A plan is in place to diversify 2 lakh hectares of land in Mega Lift Irrigation Project areas, focusing on small and marginal women farmers.
In a bid to strengthen potato farming, Odisha aims to support 1.80 lakh farmers this year, supplying 1.60 lakh quintals of certified seeds. Additionally, Rs600 crore has been allocated for the Shree Anna Abhijan initiative, expanding millet cultivation across 177 blocks in all 30 districts. The procurement price of ragi has been set at Rs4,500 per quintal, including an additional state support of Rs210 per quintal over the existing MSP.
To address storage challenges, the budget includes Rs252 crore for cold storage facilities from 2025-26 to 2029-30. A dedicated policy will encourage private participation and revive defunct units across 58 sub-divisions.
The Farm Mechanization and Agriculture Entrepreneurship scheme has received Rs425 crore, with Rs264 crore allocated to the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY) to promote agri-business ventures. OUAT (Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology) has been granted Rs511 crore for education, research, and agricultural innovation. Additionally, Rs74 crore has been set aside for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to enhance credit access, technical support, infrastructure, and market linkages.
With these significant allocations, Odisha aims to strengthen its agricultural sector, improve farmers’ incomes, and promote sustainable farming practices.
