Odisha No.1 producer of sweet potatoes in country

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is the largest sweet potato producing state in the country, informed Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain.

Replying to a query by Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati in Assembly during Monsoon Session, the Minister informed the House that Odisha is the Number.1 producer of sweet potatoes in the country.

Similarly, Odisha is the second top state in the country in production of brinjal and cabbage and 5th in production of lady’s finger (okra), tomato and watermelon, he told the House.

Speaking about concern raised by the opposition member on production, storage and marketing system of various vegetables and fruits in the state, Swain stated that about 3.64 crore saplings of fruit bearing plants like mango, cashew, orange, litchi, coconut and guava have been distributed among farmers and different agricultural organisations. The compost has been provided to them by Odisha Agro Industries Corporation for fruit crops.

If the farmers manage the crop properly, 156 quintals of Indian gooseberry and 166 quintals of guava, 312 quintals of jack fruit and 120 quintals of mangoes can be produced per hectare. The price of fruits and vegetables depends on the sales and market conditions, he added.