Bhubaneswar, July 28: Odisha government is formulating a plan to permanently resolve the potato crisis in the state, announced Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Sunday.
Attributing the current crisis to the previous BJD government's failure to address the issue, Patra said, “The cold storages in Odisha are dysfunctional. There were no efforts by the past government to set up new cold storages or repair and equip the existing ones with the latest technology.”
Discussing the government’s plans, Patra outlined plans to build new cold storage facilities across the state. These new units will enable Odisha to produce more vegetables, store them efficiently, and supply them to other states.
Patra detailed the steps his department will take, stating, “My department will hold a joint meeting with the Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Cooperation departments to devise a strategy and prevent future crises. Most existing cold storages are abandoned and in a state of disrepair, with only a few exceptions. We will need to start afresh with new units.”
In the meantime, the transport of potatoes from West Bengal proceeded smoothly on Sunday, with supplies reaching markets in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other parts of the state.
Reports indicate that potato prices have dropped to Rs 30 to Rs 35 in markets across Odisha.