1000 cold storage centres to be established in Odisha: Agriculture Secy

Bhubaneswar: Around 1000 cold storage centres will be created in Odisha soon, said Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department Secretary Arabinda Padhee at the Krushi Odisha 2023 event here today.

The storage capacity of each unit will be 10-15 metric tonnes, said Padhee.

The cold storage centres will be powered by solar energy, the official said.

“The Chief Minister has been emphasizing four aspects for development of agriculture sector in the state. First one is crop diversification which is cultivation of crops other than paddy. Second one is agriculture mechanization– use of farming machinery. Thirdly, importance is being given to allied sectors like horticulture, animal resources and fishery. Lastly, creation of agriculture entrepreneurship,” he said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the two-day event at the Baramunda Ground here. It will conclude on February 18.

Patnaik encouraged the farmers to use technology for better agricultural output.

“The KALIA scheme has provided income security to the farmers. Efforts are on to improve output with farm mechanization. Special programmes like Jackfruit Mission and Mushroom Mission are being undertaken to better the income of farmers. Our Millet Mission has drawn the attention of the country as well as world,” the CM said.