C B Singh Rayagada

Odisha’shorticulture sector bid farewell to Rayagada’s Deputy Director of Horticulture, Chittaranjan Sahoo, who retired on Thursday. His distinguished three-decade career was defined by innovation, institution-building, and an unwavering commitment to farmers’ welfare.

Over a 30-year career, Sahoo modernised Odisha’s horticulture by advancing scientific farming, protected cultivation, quality planting materials, post-harvest systems, and farmer training.

Before moving to Rayagada, Sahoo served as in-charge of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Horticulture in Deras, Bhubaneswar. He boosted the production of quality fruit plants, hybrid vegetable seeds, and flowers. Under his leadership, the centre grew into a top training hub in Odisha, benefiting many farmers, agri-entrepreneurs and also helping students learn new skills.Throughout his career, Sahoo continuously upgraded his professional expertise through specialised training at leading national institutions, such as MANAGE, the Extension Education Institute, the National Institute of Plant Health Management, the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research in Bengaluru, and INDOCERT in Kerala.

Sahoo helped local farmers grow more mango, cashew, banana, and papaya crops. He also taught them how to use protected farming and grow vegetables out of season in Koraput, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur. By sharing modern tools and safe methods, his work helped farms grow larger yields and made life better for the workers.As colleagues, farmers, and well-wishers gathered to bid him farewell, Chittaranjan Sahoo retires leaving a profound legacy. His impact is measured not just by completed projects or accolades, but by the thousands of farmers he empowered and his lasting contributions to Odisha’s horticulture sector.