The Odisha government has rolled out an extensive plan to boost potato production in the upcoming Rabi season. Following last year’s supply disruption from West Bengal, the state has moved towards self-reliance by promoting large-scale local potato cultivation. This year, the government has set a target to cultivate 21,750 hectares of land and has placed an order for 3.26 lakh quintals of certified potato seeds.
The previous Rabi season, potato was cultivated over 12,374 hectares in Odisha. The government has now expanded this area to 21,750 hectares to prevent any shortage like last year, when the interruption in West Bengal’s supply led to a state-wide crisis. This season, the focus is on both increasing cultivation coverage and ensuring timely seed distribution.
To ensure timely planting, the Agriculture Department has ordered 3.26 lakh quintals of certified seeds from the Odisha State Seeds Corporation. Each hectare requires around 15 quintals of seeds, and distribution across districts began on October 30. The initiative aims to make high-quality seeds available to farmers ahead of the sowing period.
Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister K.V. Singh Deo said that the expansion plan was drawn based on the encouraging response from farmers. The government has allocated ₹163.85 crore to make Odisha self-sufficient in potato cultivation.
According to the Agriculture Department’s estimates, with an average yield of 200 quintals per hectare, the state expects a total production of around four lakh quintals of potatoes this season.
Minister Singh Deo informed that last year, the government supplied 60,000 quintals of seeds during the Kharif season and one lakh quintals during Rabi. Potato farming in Kharif was mainly limited to Koraput, Kandhamal, and Rayagada districts, covering about 6,500 hectares, where the yield exceeded 150 quintals per hectare. Due to this strong output, retail potato prices in the state have remained stable at around ₹20 per kg this year.
Focus on Other Crops Too:
Alongside potato cultivation, the state government is also promoting other key crops. The Agriculture Department has set production targets for:
Helpline Support for Farmers:
The Agriculture Minister urged farmers to reach out in case of any seed supply issues. Farmers can contact the department’s helpline number 155333 or approach the nearest horticulture officer for assistance.Towards a Sustainable and Self-Reliant Future
With this initiative, the Odisha government aims to reduce its dependence on external potato supplies and empower local farmers. Timely seed availability, increased acreage, and efficient planning are expected to help the state achieve potato self-sufficiency and stabilize prices for consumers in the coming years.
