Odisha to export Potatoes by 2017-18, says Maharathy

Odisha will be able to produce enough potatoes by 2017-18, which will make the state overcome all crisis and stop depending on other sites. Rather, it will be able to export potatoes to other states. It was stated by a Odisha Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy in Odisha Assembly today.

Odisha suffered massive potato crisis in 2014 when West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee put restrictions on the export of potatoes to Odisha. So far, Odisha has been unable to produce potatoes to meet the requirements. A Task Force has been formed to look into the issue.

The Task Force is comprised of Principal Secretary, Secretary and Horticulture Director. Odisha will use advanced technology to enhance potato production, claimed Maharathy. The target has been set at 11 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes by 2017. Current,y, the state needs 10 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes.

Maharathy was replying to a question asked by Brajarajnagar MLA Radharani Panda. The government plans to produce 11,12,000 metric tonnes of potatoes within the next three years.

Around 60,000 hectares of land will be used for potato cultivation. The government will set up 112 multi cold storages. Entrepreneurs will get a 70% subsidy if they set up cold storages in KBK districts and 55% in other parts of the state.