In a major push toward strengthening agricultural education and rural research across the state, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to review the setup of four new colleges under the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).
Backed by a sanctioned budget of ₹50 crore, the state government is rapidly advancing infrastructure, staffing, and admissions to operationalize the new institutions.
Expanding Regional Academic Horizons
The four new specialized constituent colleges are strategically positioned to cater to regional agricultural and allied sectors:
* College of Agriculture, Mayurbhanj
* College of Agriculture, Balangir
* College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Sambalpur
* College of Fisheries, Sonepur
During the review, officials confirmed that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for all four projects are complete. Sites for both temporary operational facilities and permanent future campuses have already been identified across the four districts.
Mayurbhanj Campus Leads the Rollout
The campus in Mayurbhanj is set to lead the rollout. Shri Singh Deo, who also holds the portfolios for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, revealed that 60 students have enrolled for the current academic session at Mayurbhanj, with classes slated to commence shortly.
To support operations, the state has sanctioned 77 new positions for the Mayurbhanj campus, comprising 24 teaching faculty members and 53 non-teaching, technical, and ministerial staff.
Admissions and academic sessions for the remaining three colleges in Sambalpur, Sonepur, and Balangir will officially kick off starting from the next academic year.
High-Level Administrative Coordination
The review reflected tight administrative alignment across departments and districts. Key officials present at the meeting included:
* Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment
* Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development
* Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul, Vice-Chancellor, OUAT
* District Collectors from Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Sonepur, and Balangir (via video conference)
This expansion marks a significant step in decentralizing higher agricultural learning in Odisha, ensuring students in western and northern districts gain direct access to professional degrees in farming, animal husbandry, and aquaculture.
