Odisha Bags Best State for Agriculture Award at National Conclave

Odisha has been honoured with the prestigious Agriculture Leadership Award as the Best State for Agriculture by the Agriculture Today Group, marking a significant national recognition of the state’s strides in the farming sector.

The award was presented during the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave, held in the presence of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Former Chief Justice of India and Chairman of the Award Committee Justice P. Sathasivam, and several other dignitaries.

Receiving the award on behalf of the state, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K. V. Singh Deo attributed the achievement to the relentless efforts and innovation of Odisha’s farmers. “This award is a testament to the innovation and hard work of the farmers of Odisha,” he said.

He added that the recognition reflects Odisha’s sustained agricultural growth, innovation-driven practices, and inclusive rural development model. In the financial year 2024–25, agriculture and allied sectors accounted for 19% of the state’s Gross State Value Added (GSVA), with a growth rate of 3.3%, consistently exceeding the national average over the past five years. These sectors also remain the largest employment generators, engaging nearly 49% of the state’s workforce.

Highlighting the state’s achievements, Singh Deo shared that Odisha produced 115.39 lakh metric tonnes of rice in 2023–24, equivalent to 174.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, positioning it as the fourth-largest rice supplier to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

On the export front, the state recorded the shipment of 121.82 metric tonnes of horticultural produce including dragon fruit, cashew nuts, mangoes, and assorted vegetables to global markets like the UAE, Qatar, England, Ireland, France, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, and Germany.

Odisha’s rankings in agricultural produce further reinforce its leadership:

• 2nd in overall fruit production
• 1st in sweet potato and paddy straw mushroom production
• 2nd in brinjal and cabbage
• 3rd in cashew nuts
• 5th in watermelon, cauliflower, okra, tomato, lemon, and coconut

The award is expected to further boost the morale of the state’s farming community and reinforce Odisha’s commitment towards sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.