NewzVille Desk
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday presented a new growth agenda for Odisha at the state’s first sector-centric investment road-show ‘Odisha Food Pro 2026’ organized outside Odisha.
The event has helped in developing the food processing ecosystem that connects the agriculture sector with production, exports and the global market.
The event, which was held under the patronage of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, was attended by Industries Minister Sampada Chandra Swain, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Hemant Sharma, senior officials of the Odisha Government, representatives of ASSOCHAM and more than 300 industry leaders, food processing associations, entrepreneurs, investors and trade representatives from different parts of the country.
27 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with investment proposals worth Rs. 41,748 crore were signed during the road show. This huge investment proposal reflects the industry’s confidence in Odisha’s food processing ecosystem. This is likely to generate 35,252 employment opportunities.
In addition, the Odisha Government has received 12 Investment Intention Letters (IIF) for an investment of Rs. 1,689 crore, which is likely to generate 8,064 employment opportunities.
In total, on the first day of the visit, the Odisha government has received a total investment proposal of Rs 43,437 crore, which is likely to create 43,316 employment opportunities.
Addressing the industry leaders, the Chief Minister said, “The food processing industry is a bridge between the prosperity of our farmers, the transformation of rural areas and the industrial future of Odisha. Every investment in this sector not only improves the agricultural sector but also creates employment in rural areas, creates export opportunities and enriches the economy. Odisha is poised to become India’s preferred destination for food processing and I invite industry leaders to partner with us in this journey.”
Majhi further said Odisha is now not looking at food processing as just an industrial sector, but as an economic transformation that will directly benefit farmers, fishermen, women entrepreneurs, self-help groups, farmer producer organizations and rural enterprises.
He said that every major agricultural and marine product produced in Odisha should be processed as much as possible within the state. This is the main objective of the state government. He said that our main objective is to generate more income for the producers and ensure permanent employment for the youth.
Highlighting the vast potential of Odisha, Majhi said that Odisha has vast natural resources, a wide range of agricultural products, ten agro-climatic zones, 575 km long coastline, rich fisheries, enhanced port infrastructure, and improved logistics connectivity. In addition, Odisha’s investment policy among various states of India has created a very conducive environment for industrialization.
He emphasized that these natural and institutional facilities provide industries with a complete ecosystem from raw material procurement to production, export and entry into the global market.
The Chief Minister also unveiled a long-term roadmap related to five strategic pillars. The state government aims to create food processing clusters, expand integrated cold-chain and warehousing infrastructure, strengthen food quality and certification systems, and connect organized industry with farmer producer organizations, MSMEs and women self-help groups. This will help develop a globally competitive skilled workforce, he said.
He said these steps will help establish Odisha as a major hub for value-added food production in the coming decades.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Shri Sampada Chandra Swain said, “Our vision is to transform Odisha into a globally competitive hub for value-added food processing by harnessing the full potential of our agriculture and marine resources. We are building an integrated ecosystem where farmers, MSMEs, farmer producer organizations, women-led enterprises and global industries thrive together, creating quality employment, increasing rural incomes and driving sustainable industrial development. Supported by progressive reforms, skilled human capital, world-class infrastructure and responsive governance, Odisha today offers investors not just opportunities, but also the confidence to build, innovate and grow for the long term.”
After the Food-Pro event, the Chief Minister held a series of meetings with leading industry leaders in food processing and allied sectors.
