New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Declaring that “Odisha is ready to become India’s preferred destination for food processing,” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Friday unveiled the state’s long-term vision to transform its agricultural strength into a globally competitive food processing ecosystem, calling upon industry leaders to partner in Odisha’s next phase of industrial growth.
Addressing Odisha Food Pro 2026, the government of Odisha’s first sector-focused investment roadshow organised outside the state, Majhi said food processing is central to Odisha’s economic transformation as it directly links farmers’ prosperity, rural development and industrial growth.
The roadshow received a strong response from industry, reflecting growing confidence in Odisha’s investment ecosystem. The government signed 27 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving proposed investments of 41,748 crore, with the potential to generate 35,252 employment opportunities.
It also received 12 Investment Intent Forms (IIFs) worth 1,689 crore, expected to create 8,064 additional jobs. Overall, the first day of the government’s investment outreach in New Delhi secured investment proposals worth Rs 43,437 crore with the potential to generate 43,316 employment opportunities, reinforcing Odisha’s emergence as one of India’s fastest-growing destinations for food processing investments
“Food processing is not merely another industry. It is the bridge between our farmers’ prosperity, rural transformation and Odisha’s industrial future. Every investment in this sector creates value at the farm, generates employment in villages, strengthens exports and builds a stronger economy. Odisha is ready to become India’s preferred destination for food processing, and I invite industry to partner with us in this journey,” Majhi said.
The Chief Minister said the state is moving beyond treating food processing as merely an industrial sector and is instead developing an integrated ecosystem that benefits farmers, fishers, women entrepreneurs, SHGs, farmer-producer organisations, MSMEs and rural enterprises through greater value addition within Odisha.
Highlighting Odisha’s competitive strengths, Majhi said the state offers investors abundant raw materials, 10 agro-climatic zones, a 575-km coastline, a thriving fisheries sector, expanding port infrastructure, improved logistics connectivity and one of India’s most investor-friendly policy environments.