Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday, 1 June 2026, expressed pride after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Subarnarekha mango of Odisha during the 134th episode of Mann Ki Baat, calling the national recognition a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the state's farming community.

Context

In his post, CM Majhi wrote — translated from Odia — that 'we are proud that the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in the 134th edition of Mann Ki Baat, praised the taste and distinctiveness of Odisha's Subarnarekha mango.' He added that this celebrated mango 'is no longer confined to village boundaries, but has created a unique identity on the world stage through its quality.'

The Chief Minister further noted that the mango's popularity is 'the successful realisation of the hard work and dedication of Odisha's farmers,' and that such national-level recognition would 'further motivate farmer brothers and sisters in the days ahead.'

Policy Backdrop

Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio programme launched by Prime Minister Modi in October 2014 to engage directly with citizens on themes ranging from governance and culture to agriculture and regional produce. Over its run, the programme has regularly spotlighted state-specific agricultural products, providing them with national visibility and lending momentum to farmer-income initiatives.

The Subarnarekha mango takes its name from the Subarnarekha river basin in Odisha, where the variety has been cultivated for generations and is prized for its distinctive flavour. Central government communications have increasingly used platforms like Mann Ki Baat to draw attention to region-specific produce, often as a precursor to Geographical Indication tagging drives and market-linkage programmes.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this national spotlight are Odisha's mango farmers, particularly those in the districts along the Subarnarekha river belt. A prime-ministerial mention on a programme with a mass national audience can translate into heightened consumer demand, better price discovery, and interest from exporters and agri-businesses.

CM Majhi, who took office in 2024 as the BJP government's first Chief Minister of Odisha after the party's state election victory, has emphasised farmer welfare as a pillar of his administration. His public acknowledgement of PM Modi's remarks aligns with the state government's broader agenda of linking local agricultural output to larger national and global markets.

What's Next

The recognition is expected to renew attention on potential state-level schemes to expand Subarnarekha mango cultivation areas, strengthen cold-chain infrastructure, and explore export linkages for the variety. Agricultural departments in Odisha may use the moment to accelerate any pending GI tag applications or branding initiatives for the produce.

Future episodes of Mann Ki Baat could spotlight additional Odisha products, building a broader narrative around the state's agricultural diversity. For now, the Chief Minister's response signals that Bhubaneswar intends to translate this moment of national visibility into tangible policy and market opportunities for its farming communities.