Odisha to Focus on Solar-Powered, Climate-Friendly Cold Storages for Farmers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, emphasized the need for establishing climate-friendly and solar-powered cold storage facilities across the state. This initiative, discussed during a meeting at Krushi Bhavan on Monday, aims to enhance the preservation of fruits, vegetables, milk, and dairy products in all districts and sub-divisions of Odisha.

Singh Deo highlighted the importance of adapting cold storage systems to the state’s specific climate conditions while aligning with sustainable energy goals. He noted that the use of solar power for these facilities would be in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on renewable energy for sustainable development.

The Deputy Chief Minister urged entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity, as the government is offering subsidies of up to 70% for the establishment of cold storage units. He also updated himself on the cost and technical aspects of setting up these storage facilities by consulting service providers and domain experts.

Principal Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, and Commissioner cum Secretary of the Cooperation Department, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, also attended the meeting. Dr. Padhee suggested that officers from the Cooperation, Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment, and Energy departments should visit existing cold storage facilities to assess their effectiveness. He added that these visits would help ensure that future installations meet farmers’ needs, boost their income, and help control fluctuating prices.

Representatives from various cold storage service providers presented their solutions and services during the meeting, sharing insights on how their technologies could benefit Odisha’s farmers.