Odisha Government inks MoU with NHRDF to Produce Onion

Odisha government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nashik-based National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) on Tuesday, in an endeavor to boost production of onion, potato and garlic in the state.

Directorate of Horticulture, Susanta Nanda inked MoU with Dr. R. P. Gupta, Director of NHRDF on Tuesday in Bhubaneswar, in the presence of Gokul Chandra Pati, Chief Secretary, Rajesh Verma, Principal Secretary of Department of Agriculture, Nitin Chandra, special secretary of General Administration Department.

According to a government statement, NHRDF will step a horticulture training centre in Boudh district, for this government has handed over 50.92 acres of land belong to a farm situated in Palijhara in the district to the foundation.

NHRDF will produce onion, potato and garlic seeds at the farm besides imparting horticulture training to local farmers. The state government also decided to distribute seeds to farmers at a marginal rate. For this, the state government has made a provision for outlay of 548.90 crore for next two years under National Agriculture Development Plan.

Odisha is producing around 2.5 lakh tonne onion against demand of 4 lakh tonne very year. To meet the demand, the state has been depending on neighbouring states – West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.