The Odisha government has announced plans to set up textile mills in the State’s cotton-producing districts, signalling a renewed policy push to retain value addition and employment within its agrarian regions.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said western Odisha—particularly districts such as Bolangir, Kalahandi and Sonepur—would be prioritised for textile-led industrialisation, addressing a long-standing demand from cotton farmers and local industry. He noted that despite producing several lakh quintals of cotton annually, Odisha lacked sufficient processing capacity, forcing farmers to send raw cotton to other states for ginning and manufacturing, which in turn reduced returns and limited local job creation.
The Chief Minister said textiles had been identified as one of Odisha’s 16 priority sectors and added that the government aimed to expand industrialisation across all 30 districts. He stated that roadshows had been conducted and investor interest received, and that textile mills would be established in cotton-producing regions through a transparent process.
The initiative forms part of the State government’s ‘Field to Fashion’ programme, which seeks to integrate cotton cultivation with textile and garment manufacturing within Odisha. Officials said the plan is expected to generate large-scale employment, help curb migration from western Odisha, and strengthen farmer incomes.
At present, thousands of tonnes of cotton produced in Odisha are shipped to other states and exported to overseas markets, including Bangladesh. The proposed mills are expected to anchor a local textile value chain, reduce dependence on external processing centres, and provide a significant boost to the State’s industrial ecosystem.
