Governor urges youth to embrace agriculture as a sector of innovation, entrepreneurship and nation-building

Bhubaneswar: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Wednesday called upon the youth to view agriculture not merely as a traditional occupation but as a dynamic sector offering immense opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and nation-building.

Addressing the Odisha Food, Agri & Biotech (FAB) Summit 2026, jointlyorganised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) at the OUAT campus here, the Governor said that the future of agriculture belongs to innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers.

“Agriculture today extends far beyond conventional farming. It offers exciting opportunities in agribusiness, food processing, biotechnology, farmmechanisation, digital agriculture, agri-startups, supply chain management and value-added enterprises,” he said, urging young minds to leverage these emerging avenues to generate employment and create wealth.

Kambhampati stressed that scientific innovations such as precision farming, climate-resilient agriculture, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, digital platforms and efficient supply chains must become integral components of the agricultural ecosystem to enhance productivity, sustainability and farmers’ incomes.

Highlighting various initiatives of thecentral andstategovts, including the MUDRA scheme, he said programmes supporting startups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), food processing units, biotechnology ventures and rural enterprises are helping create an enabling ecosystem for agricultural entrepreneurship and rural prosperity.

Commending theorganisers, the Governor described the summit’s theme, “Catalysing Odisha’s Rise as a National Hub for Food, Agri-Tech and Biotech Innovation,” as a roadmap for the future. He also welcomed the release of the Handbook of Agribusiness in Odisha by OUAT, describing it as a valuable resource for farmers, startups, agripreneurs and students.

Dr Kambhampati urgedgovt departments implementing subsidy-based welfare schemes to strengthen coordination with banks to ensure that genuine beneficiaries receive timely assistance without procedural hurdles.

He noted that the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have further highlighted the need for energy security and sustainable development.

Encouraging citizens to adopt electric vehicles and rooftop solar systems, he said such measures would help reduce dependence on conventional energy sources and contribute to environmental sustainability. Referring to the Centre’s ethanol blending programme, Dr Kambhampati noted that agriculture has a critical role to play in supporting India’s energy transition while creating additional income opportunities for farmers. Heemphasised that the agricultural sector would continue to be a key driver of the country’s economic growth and development.

Observing that Odisha possesses immense potential to emerge as a leading hub for food, agri-tech and biotechnology, the Governor stressed the need for stronger collaboration among institutions, industries, investors and innovators to unlock thestate’s vast agricultural potential and drive inclusive growth.