India: Cold Storages for Potato Hang Fire
Construction of cold storages to store potato, whose production is expected to increase during the next few years, is yet to make any headway despite the announcement made a year back.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday reviewed the progress of construction of cold storages at a high level meeting at the State Secretariat here. The Government had decided to construct 112 cold storages during the next three years keeping in view the expected increase in potato production after formation of the Potato Mission. But the Mission, announced nearly a year back, is also yet to start functioning properly.
The State, which faces potato crisis whenever West Bengal Government stops export, has decided to become self dependent in production of the tuber during next three years.
It was decided that potato cultivation will be expanded from around 15,000 hectares (ha) now to 60,000 ha in 2017-18 targeting production of 11.25 lakh tonne. Odisha produces about 2.5 lakh tonne potato on 15,000 ha area every year against the requirement of 9.86 lakh tonne.
The State Government had set up a task force which recommended establishment of 112 new cold storages by March 31, 2018 of which 82 would be sanctioned under the State Plan. The task force has also recommended providing subsidy of 50 per cent on electricity tariff for six years for the existing cold storages and the ones to come up by March 31, 2018 for storing potatoes and seed potatoes. Each cold store would have the capacity of 5,000 tonne.
Official sources said 27 cold storages with a capacity of 1.32 lakh tonne are working in the State. Construction of 12 more cold storages is in progress while 30 more will be sanctioned soon. Steps are also being taken to construct 648 small cold storages at the panchayat level.
Agriculture Minister Pradip Maharathi, Chief Secretary GC Pati and senior officials attended the meeting.
Fuente: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/
