Bhubaneswar, August 13: Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who is also the Agriculture Minister, has urged swift action to set up cold storage facilities across Odisha, underscoring their vital role in strengthening agricultural infrastructure.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan, Singh Deo instructed departmental officials to fast-track both the construction and operationalisation of cold storages and godowns.
The state government has set a target of establishing at least one cold storage in every sub-division, with multiple companies already applying to participate in the projects. Preliminary work is underway, and authorities are working to ensure speedy execution.
The Deputy Chief Minister also assessed the fertiliser supply position, directing measures to curb black marketing and ensure timely availability to farmers.
Discussions during the meeting outlined a future roadmap for the Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department, focusing on farmer empowerment and robust infrastructure development.
Arabinda Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department; Kalunge Gorakh Waman, Director of Horticulture; Subrata Kumar Panda, Director of Soil Conservation and Watershed; and Additional Secretary Subhransu Mishra were present in the meeting.
