Rashmiranjan Panda
MSME AGRO INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT 2025
Bhubaneswar, June 24, 2025: The MSME Agro International Summit 2025 – Empowering Agro MSMEs was inaugurated today in Bhubaneswar. Organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with the support of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, the summit brought together senior government officials, international experts, industry leaders, MSME entrepreneurs, and academic institutions to chart a transformative roadmap for agro-based MSMEs in Odisha and across India. Supply Minister Krishna Chandra Patra, who attended as the chief guest, said that the state is now producing more rice. The number of rice mills is increasing. While there are 2600 rice mills in Chhattisgarh, our state has only 1400 mills and many small mills. Therefore, there is a need for rice mills. Due to the shortage of mills, there is a problem in collecting rice. Another 400 to 500 rice mills are required in the state. If the general public opens mills, the government will provide 50 percent subsidy. The state is currently producing 46 lakh metric tons of rice, including the state’s requirement and FCI. We have a surplus of 12 to 15 lakh metric tons of rice. The government is building new warehouses to store surplus rice. A new policy will come soon. The surplus rice will be exported and ethanol companies will be given subsidy. The government is thinking about this. The government has promised the farmers that if they cultivate, the government will take care of the paddy and rice. The farmers will not face any problem. The token given will not be lost, he said. MSME and Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Gokulanand Malik said that special importance has been given to MSME in Odisha and many schemes have been introduced. Due to which the problems that existed in the MSME sector have been overcome. He said that MSME has taken a special place in the development of the state. Skill Development and Industries Minister Sampada Swain said that there is not less of opportunities in Odisha. We are not able to utilize those opportunities properly. Now the government has given importance to this and taken up various programs like Utkarsh Odisha. Due to which Odisha is moving towards development. The government of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi is moving forward under the leadership of the Prime Minister.Delivering a special address, Smt. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, shared critical insights into the Ministry’s International Cooperation (IC) schemes aimed at enhancing exports. “The Ministry of MSME offers numerous schemes under the IC Section to support MSMEs in expanding their global footprint—ranging from participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions to technology collaboration and marketing support,” she said. In his welcome address, Shri Dharmaditya Patnaik, Senior Vice Chairman, ICC Odisha State Council, emphasized the summit’s significance during ICC’s centenary year. “This summit is a meaningful step towards transforming Odisha’s agrarian strength into an engine for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, aligning with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Vision@2047,” he said.Mr. Sriram Panda, Convenor, Agro & Food Processing Committee, ICC Odisha & Managing Director, MITS Meghalaya Food Park.,Dr. Pradipta Mohanty, Member – Core & Advisory Committee, ICC Odisha & Chairman, SNM Group, advocated for embedding Industry 4.0 into agro-MSMEs.Ms. Nitisha Mann, IES, Deputy Director, MSME DFO, Cuttack,Shri D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy, IAS, Director of Industries, Government of Odisha joined in this progrm.The summit was also addressed virtually by Prof. V. Palanimuthu, Director, NIFTEM-T, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, who spoke as Guest of Honour. He highlighted the importance of value chain development, technology-driven processing, and capacity building. “NIFTEM-T is committed to supporting agro-MSMEs through technical training, incubation, and research,” he added.The vote of thanks was jointly delivered by Col. Sujan Mohanty, Co-Convenor, Agri & Food Processing Committee, ICC Odisha, and Mr. Jyotiprakash Pal, Regional Director, ICC Odisha, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, partners, and delegates for their participation and support.
