Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo chaired a high-level review meeting on Thursday to assess the progress of four new constituent colleges under the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).
Backed by a sanctioned budget of ₹50 crore, the state government is expediting infrastructure, staffing, and admissions to operationalize the new institutions. The colleges include the College of Agriculture in Mayurbhanj and Balangir, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry in Sambalpur, and College of Fisheries in Sonepur.
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for all four campuses are complete, with sites identified for both temporary facilities and permanent campuses. The Mayurbhanj campus leads the rollout, with 60 students enrolled for the current academic session and classes set to begin soon. To support operations, 77 new posts have been sanctioned, including 24 teaching faculty and 53 technical and ministerial staff.
Admissions for the remaining three colleges will commence from the next academic year, ensuring wider access to professional degrees in agriculture, animal husbandry, and aquaculture across western and northern Odisha.
The meeting reflected strong administrative coordination, with participation from senior officials including Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav (Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment), Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary (Fisheries & Animal Resources Development), OUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul, and district collectors of Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Sonepur, and Balangir.
This expansion marks a significant step in decentralizing agricultural education and strengthening rural research in Odisha.
