Bhubaneswar- Odisha has received national recognition for its outstanding performance in the agriculture sector, bagging the Best State Award at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi. Organized by the Agriculture Today Group, the event brought together leaders from across India’s agricultural and policy landscape.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, accepted the prestigious award on behalf of the state. He credited the achievement to the dedication and innovation of Odisha’s farmers and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to making Odisha a model for sustainable agricultural growth in India.
This award acknowledges the state’s significant strides in boosting agricultural productivity, adopting climate-resilient practices, and building inclusive rural economies. In the current financial year, agriculture and allied sectors contributed around 19% to Odisha’s Gross State Value Added (GSVA), with a growth rate of 3.3%—consistently exceeding the national average over the last five years.
Nearly half of Odisha’s workforce is employed in agriculture and allied sectors. The state’s rise to agricultural prominence is credited to robust policy support, strategic investment in rural infrastructure, and aggressive promotion of technology-driven farming. Crop diversification and training initiatives have enhanced food security, increased rural incomes, and improved overall farm productivity.
In 2023–24, the state produced 115.39 lakh metric tonnes of rice, equivalent to 174.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, making Odisha the fourth largest rice supplier to the Food Corporation of India (FCI). It also recorded the highest sale of tractors in the country last year, reflecting a strong push for mechanisation. Farm power availability reached 2.60 kW per hectare and is projected to reach 3.5 kW by 2036.
Odisha has also made a mark in horticultural exports, shipping over 121 metric tonnes of produce like dragon fruit, cashew, mangoes, and vegetables to multiple countries in the Middle East and Europe through Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports.
The state now ranks first in India for the production of sweet potatoes and paddy straw mushrooms, second in overall fruit and brinjal output, and holds top-five rankings in several other vegetable and fruit categories including cashews, tomatoes, and lemons.
Odisha’s holistic approach toward agriculture—balancing modernisation with sustainability—has not only transformed its rural economy but also set an inspiring example for other states aiming for inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural development.
