State Level mango festival 2026 at CHES, Bhubaneswar showcases Odisha’s rich heritage and diversity of mango with a focus on Khet Bachao Abhiyan

Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo,  Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha graced the event as the Chief Guest. In his address to the gathering, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister  emphasized the need to develop a distinct brand identity for Odisha’s mangoes to enhance farmers’ incomes and boost agricultural exports. He also stressed the importance of crop diversification for improving agricultural productivity and encouraged farmers to move beyond traditional cropping patterns by adopting pulses, oilseeds, and high-value fruit crops such as dragon fruit, which possesses significant medicinal benefits. He also highlighted the State Government’s initiatives to expose Odisha’s farmers to successful agricultural practices across India and appreciated the organizers for conducting such an informative and farmer-oriented event.

Several dignitaries shared their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing the horticulture sector. Hon’ble MLA Shri Sidhant Mohapatra emphasized the need to balance increased agricultural production with environmental sustainability. Shri Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), noted that Odisha has more than 2.5 lakh hectares under mango cultivation, underscoring the crop’s importance to the state’s agricultural economy. Prof. Tushar Kanti Behera, Director, ICAR-IIHR  explained about the high-yielding fruit varieties developed by the institute to support farmers and improve productivity. A major highlight of the festival was a grand exhibition featuring more than 200 mango varieties, including popular local landraces, commercial cultivars, and exotic selections. The exhibition provided a valuable platform for direct interaction between scientists and farmers on topics such as orchard management, pest control, and improved cultivation practices. To strengthen market linkages, several Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) established stalls for the direct sale of quality mangoes to consumers, creating opportunities for better market access and increased farmer income.

Earlier in the day, a plantation programme was organized during which the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and other dignitaries planted saplings to commemorate the World environment Day on 5 June. A technical lecture on the “Application of Balanced Fertilizer under Khet Bachao Abhiyan” was delivered by Prof. Prasanna Samant of OUAT, providing participants with practical insights into sustainable nutrient management.

Among those present were Shri Shubham Saxena, Director of Agriculture; Shri Subrat Panda, Director of Soil Conservation; and Shri Kalunge Gorakh Waman, Director of Horticulture. Dr. Gobinda Chandra Acharya, Head of CHES, moderated the proceedings. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Smt. Geetashree Padhee, Assistant Director of Horticulture (ADH).