The new commercial farming initiative offers financial assistance of up to ₹10 crore to establish modern poultry farms and strengthen the state’s egg production capacity.
The Odisha government has launched the Commercial Layer Poultry Farming Scheme to increase egg production, encourage investment in poultry farming and meet the state’s growing demand for eggs. Announced by Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik on October 9, 2026, the initiative aims to raise Odisha’s annual egg production to 1,000 crore eggs by 2036 under the state’s long-term development vision.
Under the new scheme, eligible entrepreneurs can receive financial assistance of up to ₹10 crore to establish modern, automated commercial layer and pullet farms with a capacity of more than 25,000 birds. The initiative also introduces an advance subsidy mechanism through a “Mirror Account” to help reduce the interest burden on entrepreneurs taking bank loans for farm development. This support is intended to encourage larger investments and expand the state’s commercial poultry infrastructure.
Odisha currently produces approximately 1.12 crore eggs per day through 189 commercial layer farms, semi-commercial farms and backyard poultry units. The government aims to increase production capacity to improve the availability of eggs across the state and reduce dependence on supplies from other regions. Expanding commercial farming is expected to play an important role in meeting this objective.
The state is also working to improve per capita egg availability. Odisha currently records approximately 87 eggs per person annually, compared with the national average of 106. The government aims to bring the state closer to the national average by 2029 and subsequently work towards placing Odisha among India’s five leading egg-producing states.
Alongside the new commercial scheme, the government is continuing financial support for smaller poultry operations. During the 2026–27 financial year, 43,000 beneficiaries are set to receive 100% financial assistance for backyard poultry farming under the Livestock Prosperity Scheme. Support of up to ₹2.64 lakh is also available for duck farming, while semi-commercial layer farms with capacities of 1,000 to 4,000 birds can receive assistance covering 50% to 60% of eligible costs, subject to a maximum of ₹19.74 lakh.
Entrepreneurs establishing large-scale layer farms can also access financial assistance of up to ₹1 crore under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana. These existing support programmes, combined with the newly introduced scheme for larger automated farms, are designed to encourage participation across different scales of poultry production, from backyard operations to commercial enterprises.
According to Minister Mallik, the state provided approximately ₹512 crore in financial assistance to poultry farmers and entrepreneurs over the preceding two-and-a-half years. The funding supported the establishment of broiler and layer farms, contributing to the development of the poultry sector. The new scheme extends this approach by offering greater assistance for high-capacity facilities that can contribute to larger production volumes.
The initiative was launched during a programme organised by the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department to mark World Egg Day 2026. By combining investment incentives, modern farming infrastructure and support for smaller producers, Odisha aims to expand egg supplies, encourage rural entrepreneurship and strengthen its poultry value chain over the coming decade.