The Odisha government has decided to procure potatoes from Uttar Pradesh through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) to address a severe shortage of tubers in the state. Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister K. C. Patra announced that the state will sell these potatoes to consumers at Rs 30 per kg.
This move comes after neighbouring West Bengal halted the transportation of potatoes, leading to a supply crisis in Odisha. Local traders have been reluctant to purchase potatoes from Uttar Pradesh, citing consumer preference for varieties from West Bengal.
As a result, potato prices in cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack soared to Rs 60 per kg. To mitigate the impact, the Odisha government has placed an order for 300 metric tons of potatoes through NAFED, which will be distributed across major cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, and Berhampur, by next weekend.
Minister Patra has directed officials to ensure a smooth and hassle-free distribution of potatoes to the public.