Bhubaneswar: In a significant push to bolster agricultural infrastructure, the Odisha government on Friday announced plans to set up 38 modern model mandis across 30 districts by next year.
The announcement was made by Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta. The move is aimed to streamline agricultural trade and provide enhanced amenities as well as remunerative prices for produces for farmers.
The minister stated that in case of larger districts, the possibility of setting up more than one mandi will also be considered by the government. “If necessary, larger districts will have two mandis. There will be 38 model mandis across 30 districts by next year,” he said.
The mandis will be equipped with modern amenities including drinking water, toilets, restrooms, electricity, parking spaces, and food outlets operated by women Self Help Groups (SHGs), he said.
The Minister presented the design blueprint of the model mandi project to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at a review meeting held earlier in the day.
The initiative aligns with the BJP government’s broader agenda to upgrade rural infrastructure. Following its formation in 2024, the government had committed to developing cold storage facilities in every sub-division and transforming existing mandis into model centres.