Odisha Expands Potato Farming to Counter Supply Challenges with West Bengal

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Bhubaneswar: To increase its potato output self-sufficiency, the Odisha government has implemented bold action amid persistent disagreements with West Bengal over potato supplies. On Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo declared that the state has set a lofty goal to grow potatoes on 15,023 hectares of cropland during the current growing season. 

The Deputy Chief Minister told the Assembly that Odisha wants to exceed its past production milestone. 

Last year, 13.8 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes were produced in 2023–2024. We have taken extensive steps this season to boost output even more and lessen reliance on other sources of supply," Singh Deo said. 

Pay Attention to Important Potato-Growing Areas 

Cuttack, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Koraput are among the main potato-growing areas that the government has designated for heightened cultivation efforts. Because of the favourable climate of Koraput, Rayagada, and Kandhamal, Kharif potato farming has been given priority. 
The Odisha government has set up ₹64 crore for potato cultivation during the Rabi season in order to promote this project. In order to solve storage issues and lower post-harvest losses, this investment also entails the establishment of cold storage facilities throughout the state. 

Addressing Man-Made Scarcity 

The increased emphasis on potato production in Odisha follows a disruption in West Bengal's supply. Earlier, the West Bengal government halted the tuber supply, triggering a crisis in Odisha. In response, Odisha’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra criticized the move, calling it an act of “artificial scarcity” designed to undermine Odisha’s government. 

“The scarcity was created to discolor the image of our government. Although the West Bengal Chief Minister initially refused to continue supply, she later agreed. Such politically motivated actions are uncalled for,” Patra remarked in a fiery statement. 

Patra further clarified that Odisha will not plead with West Bengal for potato supply, emphasizing the state’s commitment to self-reliance. 

Creating a Supply Chain That Is Sustainable 

In order to guarantee food security, the Odisha government's strategic plan also calls for increasing domestic potato production. The state hopes to drastically lessen its need on neighbouring states by expanding the agricultural area and resolving storage concerns. 

"Odisha is striving to establish a solid supply network that will satisfy the state's potato needs while providing farmers with the resources they require," Singh Deo declared. 

By guaranteeing that future disruptions in the potato supply do not affect the state's food security or its customers, Odisha's actions mark a substantial turn towards agricultural independence. 
Given the continuous dispute among the two states, Odisha's initiative to support potato farming shows a strong commitment to confronting the problem head-on. The state hopes to overcome obstacles and safeguard its agricultural future by concentrating on expanding cultivation and constructing infrastructure.