Bhubaneswar,20th Aug 2025:The state government has decided to open new agriculture and allied science colleges in different parts of Odisha. The priority will be given to districts where setting up such institutions can benefit farmers of nearby regions as well. These colleges are expected to help increase farmers’ income.
The matter of establishing more agriculture colleges was discussed on Monday at a meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. As part of the election promise, the proposal for establishing a second agricultural university in Sambalpur was strongly discussed in the meeting. Deputy CM Singh Deo also shared the information through social media.
It is worth mentioning that since the establishment of OUAT in Bhubaneswar, there has been a long-standing demand for setting up a second agricultural university in Sambalpur, which the BJP had included in its election manifesto.
During the meeting, agricultural officers and OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pravat Kumar Raul presented opinions on the basic requirements for setting up a second agricultural university. Chief Secretary of Agriculture Department Dr. Aravind Kumar Padhee, Finance Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, and Fisheries & Animal Resources Secretary Suresh Kumar Vashistha were present.
However, the proposal has sparked controversy. BJD’s Balangir MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo has stated that it is appropriate to establish the second agricultural university in Balangir. He has demanded through social media that the state government clarify whether the university will be set up in Sambalpur or Balangir.