The Government of Odisha has approved the roadmap for establishing a cutting-edge Farmer Skill and Agri-Incubation Centre (FSAIC), marking a major step towards transforming the state’s agriculture sector into a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The decision was finalised in a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
The FSAIC is envisioned as a comprehensive facility to upskill farmers, foster agri-startups, and bridge the gap between traditional farming practices and modern agricultural entrepreneurship.
“The primary objective is skill development. By training our farmers in modern techniques and providing them with financial access and market connectivity, we are ensuring long-term profitability and economic stability for rural Odisha,” DY CM Singh Deo stated during the meeting.
The centre will function through four key modules:
- Agri-entrepreneurship Development: Supporting the creation of new agriculture-based businesses.
- Farmer Skilling and Training: Hands-on education in high-yield and sustainable farming methods.
- Technology Demonstration: Showcasing the latest advancements in agricultural technology.
- Value-Added Services: Improving the marketability of farm produce through processing and branding.
The FSAIC will incorporate advanced infrastructure to promote precision and sustainable farming, including IoT-enabled precision agriculture, agrophotovoltaics (combining solar energy generation with crop production), state-of-the-art tissue culture laboratories, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), and renewable energy-powered cold storage and primary processing units.
Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, highlighted that detailed technical and financial feasibility studies have been completed at two proposed sites — HTI Nildunguri and Deras Agriculture Farm. Both locations were found highly viable with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support for capital and operational expenses.
Global consultancy firm Ernst & Young (E&Y) is serving as the transaction advisor to ensure international standards in project execution.
The meeting was attended by Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman, E&Y representatives, and senior officials from the Agriculture Department.
The initiative is expected to position Odisha as a leader in futuristic agriculture while creating new economic opportunities for farmers and rural youth.
