The agriculture and allied sector remains a significant contributor to Odisha's employment and output. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey, the sector engaged close to 1.04 crore workers, accounting for a share of 48.6 per cent in Odisha’s total workforce in 2024. Strong growth in agriculture is essential for driving inclusive growth, rural livelihoods, and food security.
In 2025-26, the sector contributes 19.6 per cent to the State Gross State Value Added (GSVA), compared to 16.8 per cent at the national level. With its extensive forward and backward linkages, agriculture and allied sectors also significantly contribute to the development of various other sectors in the economy.
Agroclimatic Advantage: Odisha is bestowed with 10 agroclimatic zones enabling the cultivation of a wide variety of food grains, commercial crops, and horticultural produce. Dedicated efforts are being undertaken to increase acreage of crops such as ragi, maize, fruits, and vegetables.
Odisha's agriculture and allied sector continues to grow at a higher rate than India. The sector's GSVA composition is highly diversified across crops, animal husbandry, forestry, and aquaculture.
Note: Odisha's agriculture sector continues to grow at a higher rate than the national average, reflecting robust policy implementations and diversification efforts.
Crop diversification in Odisha is steadily increasing. While paddy/rice continues to be the dominant crop (44% of GCA), horticulture (15%) and pulses (23%) represent substantial portions of the state's agricultural land usage.
| Crop Name | 2020-21 | 2024-25 | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millets | 1.66 | 2.71 | +63.3% |
| Potato | 0.25 | 0.41 | +64.0% |
| Cotton | 1.71 | 2.39 | +39.8% |
| Maize | 2.60 | 3.01 | +15.8% |
Horticulture-based farming systems have gained significant momentum, enhancing farmers' income levels. The Government of Odisha is actively supporting this through targeted schemes, including the Jackfruit Mission, Floriculture Mission, Mushroom Mission, and Spices Mission.
Procurement operations in Odisha have recorded impressive growth, ensuring minimum support price (MSP) reach and credit access for marginal and smallholders.
| Procurement Metric | 2020-21 | 2024-25 | Change Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Procurement Volume (Lakh MT) | 77.3 | 92.6 | +19.8% Volume |
| Paddy Share in Production (%) | 70.3% | 78.1% | +7.8% Share |
| Ragi Procurement Volume (Thousand MT) | 20.38 | 87.83 | +331.0% Volume |
To reduce dependence on erratic monsoons, Odisha has invested significantly in key irrigation infrastructures. During 2024-25, major projects like the Ghatkeswar Dam, Kusumi and Sandul Barrages, and two megalift projects in Malkangiri were completed alongside 367 check dams.
Irrigation Reach: Odisha's cumulative irrigation potential has reached 74.2 lakh hectares, enabling irrigation of close to 80% of the Gross Cropped Area (GCA) under optimal conditions.
The livestock sector plays a pivotal role in supplementing farmers' incomes and supporting rural livelihoods. In 2024, the state launched the umbrella scheme Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana (MKY).
| Livestock Metric | 2020-21 | 2024-25 | National Average (24-25) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk Production (Lakh MT) | 23.7 | 27.1 (3.4% CAGR) | - |
| Per Capita Milk Availability (g/day) | 143 | 159 | 485 |
| Egg Production (Crores) | 242.4 | 406.1 | - |
| Per Capita Egg Availability (nos/year) | 53 | 84 | 106 |
Odisha's fish production has shown strong positive trends, helping increase marine exports while substantially reducing dependence on freshwater imports.
| Year | Exports | Imports | Net Trade Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 45.3 | 43.0 | +2.3 Net Export |
| 2022-23 | 54.1 | 39.6 | +14.5 Net Export |
| 2024-25 | 72.8 | 29.7 | +43.1 Net Export |
Odisha has emerged as the 3rd largest state in India for marine export value, shipping marine products worth ₹4,708 crores in 2024-25.
| Rank | State Name | Marine Export Value (₹ Crores) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | 25,284 |
| 2 | Gujarat | 4,734 |
| 3 | Odisha | 4,708 |
| 4 | Kerala | 3,044 |
| 5 | West Bengal | 2,623 |