Odisha to Cultivate Potatoes on 50,000 Acres to Boost Self-Reliance

Government prepares seed distribution plan to reduce import dependency and strengthen food security

Bhubaneswar : In a major step toward food self-sufficiency, the Odisha government has announced plans to cultivate potatoes on more than 50,000 acres of farmland. This initiative aims to reduce the state’s dependency on potato imports from other regions and ensure a stable supply for consumers.

A high-level meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhawan to finalize the plan. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and attended by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Agriculture Director Shubham Saxena, and Horticulture Director Kalunge Gorakh Waman.

Deputy CM Singh Deo directed officials to ensure timely distribution of potato seeds to farmers so that cultivation can begin without delay. The state requires approximately 3 lakh quintals of potato seeds for the planned cultivation area, and the Agriculture Department has been tasked with supplying these seeds as per demand.

To streamline the process, all district administrations have been instructed to submit their seed requirements to the Agriculture Department at the earliest. The department is making necessary arrangements to begin distributing seeds from the first week of November. Distribution will be carried out at the block level based on respective demands.

Alongside potato cultivation, the government is also promoting the cultivation of other essential crops. Plans include sowing 600 quintals of onion seeds across 6,000 hectares, 100 quintals of chili seeds over 1,000 hectares, and 7,500 quintals of garlic seeds on 300 hectares of land. These initiatives aim to support vegetable self-sufficiency and stabilize market prices.

If farmers face seed shortages or have additional requirements, they can contact the Agriculture Department through the helpline number 155333 or consult their nearest Horticulture Officer. This measure ensures direct support and faster resolution of issues faced by cultivators.

Deputy CM Singh Deo emphasized that increasing domestic potato production would not only meet the state’s demand but also create additional income opportunities for farmers. He added that the move aligns with Odisha’s broader goals of agricultural sustainability and self-reliance.

Officials from the Odisha State Seed Corporation, Agriculture Department, and horticulture offices were also present at the meeting, reflecting a coordinated approach across departments to successfully implement the initiative.

By scaling up potato cultivation and strengthening logistics, the state government hopes to minimize supply disruptions during peak demand seasons and reduce reliance on other states. This strategic initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing food security and empowering farmers across Odisha.