Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday unveiled the state’s long-term vision for the food processing sector, positioning it as a key driver of farmer prosperity, rural transformation, employment generation and industrial growth.

Speaking at Odisha Food Pro 2026 in Delhi, Majhi invited investors to partner with the state in building an integrated food processing ecosystem connecting agriculture, manufacturing, exports and global markets.

“Food processing is not merely another industry. It is the bridge between our farmers' prosperity, rural transformation and Odisha's industrial future,” Majhi said. “Odisha is ready to become India's preferred destination for food processing, and I invite industry to partner with us in this journey.”

The roadshow witnessed the signing of 27 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving proposed investments of Rs 41,748 crore, with the potential to generate 35,252 employment opportunities.

The state government also received 12 Investment Intent Forms (IIFs) representing proposed investments of Rs 1,689 crore and the potential to create 8,064 jobs.

Cumulatively, the first day of the investment outreach brought in proposals worth Rs 43,437 crore, with the potential to generate 43,316 employment opportunities, highlighting growing investor interest in Odisha’s food processing ecosystem.

The event was attended by Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Hemant Sharma, and other senior government officials.

Majhi said the state views food processing not merely as an industrial activity but as an avenue for wider economic transformation. He highlighted its potential to benefit farmers, fishermen, women entrepreneurs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and rural enterprises.

The Chief Minister said the government aims to ensure that a larger share of Odisha’s agricultural and marine produce is processed within the state, enabling producers to earn higher incomes while creating sustainable employment opportunities for the state’s youth.

Highlighting Odisha’s competitive advantages, Majhi pointed to the state’s abundant raw material base, 10 agro-climatic zones, 575-kilometre coastline, strong fisheries sector, expanding port infrastructure and improving logistics connectivity.

He said these advantages, combined with the state’s investor-friendly policy environment, offer companies an integrated ecosystem covering raw material sourcing, processing, manufacturing, logistics and exports.

The Chief Minister outlined a five-pillar strategy to accelerate the sector’s growth, focusing on developing specialised food processing clusters, expanding integrated cold-chain and warehousing infrastructure, strengthening food quality and certification systems, deepening the integration of FPOs, MSMEs and women-led SHGs with organised industry, and building a globally competitive skilled workforce.

According to Majhi, these interventions will help Odisha emerge as a major hub for value-added food manufacturing over the coming decade.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to investment facilitation, he said Team Odisha would provide support from project conceptualisation through commissioning, with an emphasis on transparent governance, faster approvals and institutional handholding.

Majhi said the state’s improving investment climate reflects the government’s focus on policy stability, effective execution and strengthening investor confidence.

Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the government’s objective is to transform Odisha into a globally competitive hub for value-added food processing by leveraging its agricultural and marine resources.

“Our vision is to transform Odisha into a globally competitive hub for value-added food processing by unlocking the full potential of our agricultural and marine resources,” Swain said.

He said the state was working to build an integrated ecosystem in which farmers, MSMEs, FPOs, women-led enterprises and global industries could 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,” Swain added.

Meanwhile, the delegation is scheduled to visit a Greater Noida manufacturing plant on August 8 to understand advanced manufacturing processes and examine potential partnerships in the white goods and consumer appliances sector.