Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken steps to provide potatoes to consumers at affordable prices amidst the ongoing potato crisis in the state.
Through its partnership with the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), the state is supplying potatoes at ₹30 per kilogram.
In the first phase of the initiative, 60 tonnes of potatoes were procured and brought to Bhubaneswar in three trucks. These potatoes were sold at various locations across the city, including in front of the Additional District Magistrate’s office and at government fair price shops.
The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has stated that this measure aims to make potatoes accessible to consumers at reasonable prices, thereby alleviating the shortage.
Initially, the affordable potatoes will be available through government retail outlets in major cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Jajpur, Balasore, Balangir, Sambalpur, and Berhampur. Consumers in these locations will be able to purchase the potatoes at the fixed price of ₹30 per kilogram.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to ensure the availability of essential commodities and address supply chain issues impacting the state.