Scope for agri-business in Odisha enormous, say experts

The scope for agri-business in the state is enormous and it will ensure economic development by providing rural employment, uplifting rural income and providing food security, say experts.

“Agriculture is the backbone of the state. While population is increasing, the land mass remains the same. We have to increase the agricultural production .Out of 60 lakh hectares of agricultural land in Odisha only 30 per cent is irrigated,” said Satyabrata Sahu, Secretary, department of fisheries and animal resource department at a seminar on “Agri-Business Potential in Odisha” organized by Centre for Agri-Management (CAM), Utkal University. Sahu said, there is scope for milk processing and packaging as out of 50 lakh litres of milk produced in the state in a day, only six lakh litres are toned (five lakh litres by OMFED and one lakh litre by others).