OUAT to Open New Campus in Sambalpur; Colleges Planned in Mayurbhanj, Berhampur, Sonepur

Sambalpur : Sambalpur will soon house a campus of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo announced on Sunday. A team will shortly inspect the proposed site.

Alongside, agricultural colleges will be established in Mayurbhanj and Berhampur, while Sonepur will host a Fisheries and Animal Resources College.

The announcement was made during the 64th Foundation Day celebrations of OUAT, attended by Governor and Chancellor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallick, MLA Babu Singh and OUAT Vice-Chancellor Pravat Kumar Roul.

On the occasion, 33 progressive farmers from across Odisha were felicitated for their contributions. The Governor personally honoured the awardees.

In a major upgrade, OUAT’s campus has also been made fully Wi-Fi enabled for the first time. Governor Kambhampati inaugurated the facility, aimed at enhancing digital access for students, faculty and researchers.

Speaking at the ‘Smart Agriculture and Developed Odisha’ roundtable, Minister Singh Deo urged farmers to minimise chemical fertiliser use and adopt organic farming, emphasising its role in building a healthier environment. He highlighted India’s dependence on imports of pulses and edible oils, while pointing to export opportunities for millets and other organic produce.

He cautioned that though excessive fertiliser use increases local yield, such produce often fails to meet export standards and is rejected in global markets. Singh Deo assured government support for farmers willing to shift to organic cultivation.