Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Tuesday approved the continuation of the State Sector Scheme 'Subsidy under State Agriculture Policy (Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana - MKUY)' for another five years with an outlay of Rs 2,496.40 crore, while also giving its nod to the Odisha Fisheries Service (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2026 to strengthen the fisheries administration in the state.

Rs 2,496.40 Crore for Agri-Entrepreneurship

The Cabinet approved the continuation of the subsidy scheme for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 to promote agri-entrepreneurship, commercial agriculture and high-value farming across Odisha.

The scheme provides Capital Investment Subsidy to eligible entrepreneurs for setting up commercial agri-enterprises in the sectors of agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal resources and food processing.

According to the government, the extension of the scheme comes in response to its overwhelming success and the growing need to encourage agricultural diversification, adoption of modern technologies and value-added agriculture.

The programme aims to ensure optimum utilisation of land and natural resources, enhance agricultural and horticultural production, increase farmers' income and generate sustainable rural employment.

The scheme will be implemented in all 30 districts of Odisha. During the five-year period, the government plans to facilitate the establishment of around 8,500 commercial agri-enterprise projects, backed by a total investment of Rs 2,496.40 crore.

New Odisha Fisheries Service Rules Approved

The Cabinet also approved the Odisha Fisheries Service (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2026, providing a comprehensive statutory framework for recruitment, promotions, seniority and service conditions of officers in the Odisha Fisheries Service (OFS).

The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) Department said the new rules are aimed at strengthening the department's capacity to achieve Odisha's long-term fisheries development goals under the Blue Economy initiative.

The state has set an ambitious target of producing 33 lakh metric tonnes of fish and achieving ₹25,000 crore in seafood exports. The fisheries sector is expected to generate significant employment opportunities through aquaculture, seafood processing, value addition and improved market access in line with Odisha Vision 2036.

Earlier, the state government had approved the restructuring of the Odisha Fisheries Service cadre, increasing its sanctioned strength from 617 to 835 posts to address the growing workload and improve service delivery.

Key Features of the New Rules

The newly approved rules will:

• Provide a statutory framework governing recruitment, seniority and service conditions of OFS officers.
• Streamline recruitment, including induction into newly created Group 'A' posts of Block Fisheries Officer/Assistant Director of Fisheries at Pay Level-12.
• Ensure transparent and merit-based career progression through clearly defined promotion guidelines.
• Facilitate timely deployment of technical and administrative personnel at field-level positions to improve disease control, fisheries resource conservation and departmental efficiency.

The Odisha Fisheries Service (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2026 will come into force from the date of their publication in the Odisha Gazette.

The Cabinet decisions are expected to provide a major boost to agricultural entrepreneurship, fisheries development, rural employment and the state's blue economy objectives over the coming years.