Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a major overhaul of its Potato Mission, aiming to significantly enhance potato production and provide stronger support to farmers across the state. Agriculture Minister KV Singh Deo, in a press briefing on Saturday, shared the government’s commitment to revitalizing the mission by extending its tenure for three more years and addressing previous shortcomings.
In a pointed critique of the earlier administration, Singh Deo blamed the failure of the original Potato Mission on poor planning and execution by the previous BJD government. “The mission’s ineffectiveness was largely due to the late distribution of seeds, which reached farmers well into the potato harvest season, severely impacting productivity,” he said.
The revamped Potato Mission will prioritize the timely distribution of seeds to farmers, with high-yield varieties being sourced from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The government has committed to ensuring that these seeds reach farmers by the first week of November, well in advance of the planting season. This proactive measure is expected to significantly boost potato yields and ensure a more productive growing season.
In addition to seed distribution, the government plans to expand infrastructure support for farmers. Singh Deo announced the development of more cold storage facilities at the sub-division level under public-private partnership (PPP) models. These facilities will help farmers store their potato harvests efficiently, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring better market access.
“The focus on cold storage will not only minimize wastage but also empower farmers to sell their produce at the right time and secure better prices,” Singh Deo added.