Bhubaneswar, Oct 24: In a major development to reduce dependency on neighboring states for essential food supplies, the Odisha government has announced a comprehensive plan to achieve self-reliance in potato production.

The state aims to cultivate potatoes on over 50,000 acres this year, doubling its previous output and addressing long-standing supply vulnerabilities, officials said on Friday.

Strategic Expansion in Cultivation

Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister KV Singh Deo, while launching the state’s Rabi campaign, declared that Odisha will no longer rely on external sources for potatoes. The State government has set a target to distribute 3 lakh quintals of high-quality seed potatoes to farmers, a significant jump from the 1.6 lakh quintals distributed in 2024–25.

Closing the Demand-Supply Gap

Odisha’s annual potato requirement stands at 14 lakh metric tonnes, but current production is only around 4.76 lakh metric tonnes. In 2022–23, the state produced just over 3.13 lakh metric tonnes, which rose to 3.82 lakh in 2023–24 and 4.76 lakh in 2024–25. The government hopes this year’s expansion will bridge the gap and stabilize prices.

 
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Boosting Storage and Allied Crops

To support the surge in production, 13 new cold storage units have been constructed, with 45 more in the pipeline under a PPP model. The state currently has 35 operational cold storages with a combined capacity of 1.72 lakh metric tonnes. Additionally, the government has planned large-scale cultivation of onions, chillies, and garlic across thousands of hectares.

Farmers like Ashwini Meher from Bhatli and others from Padmapur have welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism about timely seed supply and better market access.