Bhubaneswar, June 30: A high-level meeting to strengthen cold storage infrastructure in Odisha was held today at Lok Seva Bhavan, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Farmers' Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo.
Speaking at the meeting, Singhdeo emphasized the importance of agriculture as a year-round activity that not only ensures food security but also serves as a consistent source of employment.
Highlighting Odisha’s rich natural resources and growing maritime infrastructure, he noted the state's transformation from a food-deficit region to a food-surplus one.
"Odisha is now exporting fruits, vegetables, and food grains to international markets. There is increasing global demand for our indigenous aromatic rice and other produce," said Shri Singhdeo.
He added that ensuring fair prices, strong farm-to-market linkages, and storage for surplus crops are key priorities for the government.
To address these needs, the state is actively working on establishing cold storage facilities in every sub-division.
"These facilities will not only improve farmers' incomes but also prevent artificial shortages of essential commodities within the state," he said.
During the meeting, a private company presented a proposal for the development of cold storage units across Odisha. Director of Agriculture Shubham Saxena and other senior officials also attended the session.
