Odisha has been awarded the prestigious Agriculture Leadership Award at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave, recognising the state’s strides in innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth in farming. The event, organised by Agriculture Today Group, was held in New Delhi.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, KV Singh Deo, received the award, dedicating it to Odisha’s hardworking farmers. “This honour is for our annadatas — the backbone of our rural economy,” Singh Deo said, while reaffirming the state’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development.
The award comes as a testament to Odisha’s strong agricultural performance in recent years. In FY 2024–25, agriculture and allied sectors contributed 19% to the state’s Gross State Value Added (GSVA), growing at 3.3%, above the national average for the past five years. Nearly 49% of Odisha’s workforce is engaged in agriculture.
Key achievements highlighted include:
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Rice production of 115.39 lakh metric tonnes (174.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy), making Odisha the 4th largest rice supplier to FCI.
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Leading horticulture exports, with 121.82 metric tonnes of fruits and vegetables shipped to the Middle East and Europe.
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Top in farm mechanisation, with the highest tractor sales in the country and farm power input rising to 2.60 kW/hectare.
In terms of national crop rankings, Odisha holds:
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1st in sweet potato and paddy straw mushroom production
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2nd in total fruit, brinjal, and cabbage output
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3rd in cashew nuts
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5th in crops like cauliflower, okra, tomato, lemon, watermelon, and coconut
Odisha’s achievements are the result of focused policy support, infrastructure expansion, crop diversification, and promotion of climate-resilient practices.
The conclave was attended by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Former Chief Justice Justice P. Sathasivam, and several dignitaries from India and abroad. This award further cements Odisha’s growing status as a national model in agricultural progress and food security.
