In a significant push to empower Odisha’s farmers, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Empowerment, and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, chaired a pivotal meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan today to strengthen the state’s cold storage infrastructure.
Highlighting agriculture as a cornerstone of Odisha’s economy, Singhdeo emphasised the state’s transformation from a food-deficient region to a food-surplus powerhouse, now exporting its renowned fragrant rice, vegetables, and fruits to international markets.
“Odisha’s agricultural journey is remarkable,” Singhdeo stated. “Our focus is on providing robust farm-to-market linkages, ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce, and protecting surplus crops from wastage.” To achieve this, the state is actively constructing cold storage facilities in every sub-division, a move aimed at boosting farmers’ incomes and eliminating artificial shortages of essential commodities.
The meeting saw a detailed proposal from a company for building modern cold storage units across Odisha, a step that promises to enhance the state’s capacity to preserve perishable goods like fruits and vegetables, which are increasingly in demand abroad.
Director of Agriculture Shubham Saxena, along with other senior officials, attended the discussion, underscoring the government’s commitment to agricultural innovation.
Singhdeo also highlighted Odisha’s rich natural resources and its strengthening maritime transport system, facilitated by its long coastline. These advantages, combined with strategic infrastructure investments, position Odisha as a rising agricultural hub. The cold storage initiative is expected to not only safeguard farmers’ produce but also stabilise market supply, ensuring food security and economic resilience.
As Odisha continues to leverage its agricultural potential, the government’s proactive measures signal a brighter future for its farmers, fostering sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
