THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 7, 2026
Odisha on Friday secured investment proposals worth Rs 43,437
crore in the food processing sector at its first sector-focused investment
roadshow outside the state, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi pitching
Odisha as India's preferred destination for value-added food industries.
The state government signed 27 Memoranda of Understanding
(MoUs) involving a proposed investment of Rs 41,748 crore, which are expected to
generate 35,252 jobs. It also received 12 Investment Intent Forms for projects
worth Rs 1,689 crore with the potential to create another 8,064 employment
opportunities.
The cumulative investment proposals of Rs 43,437 crore are
expected to create 43,316 jobs, according to the state government.
Addressing more than 300 industry leaders, food processing
associations, entrepreneurs and investors at Odisha Food Pro 2026, Majhi said
the state views food processing as a catalyst for economic transformation rather
than merely another industrial sector.
"Food processing is not merely another industry. It is
the bridge between our farmers' prosperity, rural transformation and Odisha's
industrial future," he said, inviting industry to partner with the state
in its growth journey.
He said every investment in the sector would create value at
the farm level, generate rural employment, strengthen exports and contribute to
building a stronger economy.
The chief minister said the government's strategy is aimed at
ensuring that a larger share of Odisha's agricultural and marine produce is
processed within the state, thereby enhancing farmers' incomes and creating
sustainable livelihoods for rural youth.
Highlighting Odisha's strengths, Majhi said the state offers
investors a comprehensive ecosystem supported by ten agro-climatic zones, a
575-km coastline, abundant raw material, a strong fisheries base, expanding
port infrastructure, improving logistics and an investor-friendly policy
framework.
He also unveiled a long-term roadmap focused on developing
specialised food processing clusters, expanding integrated cold-chain and
warehousing infrastructure, strengthening food quality and certification
systems, integrating Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), MSMEs and women
Self-Help Groups with organised industry, and creating a globally competitive
skilled workforce.
Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said Odisha is
building an integrated ecosystem where farmers, MSMEs, FPOs, women-led
enterprises and global companies can grow together.
"Backed by progressive reforms, skilled human capital,
world-class infrastructure and responsive governance, Odisha today offers
investors not just opportunities, but the confidence to build, innovate and
grow for the long term," he said.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg and senior officials also attended
the event.
Following the formal sessions, Majhi held one-on-one meetings
with industry leaders to discuss project-specific opportunities and long-term
partnerships as part of the two-day investment outreach in the national
capital.
The state government said Odisha Food Pro 2026
marks the beginning of a focused strategy to position Odisha at the centre of
India's next phase of food processing growth by transforming agricultural
abundance into value-added industries, higher farmer incomes, stronger exports
and large-scale rural employment.
