National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) to supply potatoes from Uttar Pradesh to alleviate the ongoing crisis in Odisha due to West Bengal’s supply restrictions
In response to the persistent supply constraints from West Bengal, the Odisha state government has opted to source potatoes through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) to mitigate the crisis gripping the region.
In a recent announcement, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra revealed that the state government has initiated the procurement of 300 tonnes of potatoes from Uttar Pradesh in the initial phase through NAFED. These potatoes will be made available to consumers at a subsidized rate of Rs 30 per kilogram. The first batch of potatoes is expected to arrive within the week and will be distributed through government fair price shops in key cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, and Berhampur as part of the first phase of distribution.
Acknowledging the lack of cooperation from the West Bengal government, Minister Patra emphasized the state’s commitment to resolving the current crisis while prioritizing consumer welfare.
Despite these efforts, traders remain skeptical about the impact of the proposed supply. They emphasize the need for a substantial and consistent supply to alleviate scarcity and stabilize prices effectively. A representative from the Odisha Byobasayee Sangha highlighted that the procurement of 300 tonnes of potatoes from Uttar Pradesh, while a commendable start, falls significantly short of addressing Odisha’s annual potato requirement of 13 lakh tonnes, with a monthly demand exceeding 1 lakh tonnes.
This move by NAFED to bridge the supply gap underscores the proactive measures being taken to address the immediate challenges faced by farmers, agronomists, traders, and consumers in the potato industry in Odisha.
