Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has approved a new State Plan Scheme to establish “Model Mandis” aimed at increasing the accessibility of agricultural markets for farmers. These new mandis will integrate all essential marketing activities under one roof to create a more efficient and transparent agricultural ecosystem.
The initiative, approved by the state cabinet, seeks to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure fair prices for farmers by facilitating direct market access and minimizing the role of middlemen.
The Model Mandis will feature modern infrastructure, including raised concrete drying platforms, covered sheds, and multi-purpose warehouses for long-term storage. They will also be equipped with electronic weighbridges, quality testing kiosks, and cooling chambers. For the convenience of farmers, the facilities will include rest sheds, clean toilets, and special provisions for women farmers, such as child care centers and rest rooms.
The project will be rolled out in two phases:
Phase 1: Thirty-eight mandis, including 14 large, 17 medium, and 7 small ones, have been identified across all 30 districts of the state for development.
Phase 2: An additional 62 mandis will be selected and developed.
The project will be executed by the Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Ltd. (OBCC). The Odisha State Agricultural Marketing Board (OSAM Board) will oversee the project’s progress through a dedicated Project Monitoring Cell.
The estimated cost for developing the initial 38 mandis is approximately ₹300 crores. This cost will be shared, with ₹150 crores mobilized from the resources of Regulated Market Committees (RMCs) and the remaining ₹150 crores provisioned by the State Plan Scheme. For the current financial year, the Cooperation Department has already allocated ₹50 crores in its budget for the scheme. The project is slated to be implemented between the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27.