January 3rd 2025.
Bhubaneswar: During the 'Krushi Odisha 2025' event, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his disappointment with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the previous BJD government for their failure to address the ongoing potato crisis in the state. According to Majhi, Banerjee's Trinamool Congress government has deliberately withheld potato supplies to Odisha, causing the shortage to worsen.
"We reached out to Mamata Didi for help during this potato crisis, but unfortunately, our efforts were in vain. Instead of showing compassion, she has chosen to use this situation as an opportunity to settle personal scores with us. It's clear that there is no 'mamata' (meaning compassion) in Mamata Didi when it comes to Odisha," Majhi stated. However, he did not provide any specific details on how Banerjee was trying to settle scores.
Majhi also criticized the previous BJD government for not taking adequate measures to make Odisha self-sufficient in potato and onion production. As a result, the state heavily relies on West Bengal for potatoes, and any disruption in supply can lead to shortages.
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who also spoke at the event, accused the TMC government of "blackmailing" Odisha by halting the movement of potato-laden trucks. He also announced that the BJP government has taken steps to boost local potato cultivation by distributing 1.6 lakh kilograms of potato seeds to 1.80 lakh farmers in December 2024.
Singh Deo, who also holds the agriculture portfolio, explained, "In 2023, only 45,000 kilograms of potato seeds were distributed to farmers. This year, our goal is to significantly increase cultivation." He also mentioned that the government is working on developing cold storage facilities in 58 subdivisions to support farmers.
Majhi also took a dig at the BJD's agricultural initiatives, mocking their failed Potato Mission and Jackfruit Mission as examples of poor governance. "It's like saying, 'The operation was successful, but the patient is dead,'" he remarked.
Meanwhile, Odisha's Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister KC Patra also criticized Mamata Banerjee for the potato crisis. It is estimated that Odisha needs around 10.21 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes annually, but it can only produce 20 per cent of this amount.
In response to Majhi's allegations, the opposition BJD rejected them, stating that the previous government's agricultural missions were not unsuccessful. "It is incorrect to say that the previous government did nothing during its 24-year rule. When Naveen Patnaik came to power in 2000, Odisha's milk production was 20 lakh litres per day, which has now increased to 85 lakh litres in 2024," senior BJD leader and former Agriculture Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said.
Sahoo also highlighted the significant increase in egg and fish production and vegetable yield in the state during the previous government's tenure. He added, "We also made Odisha a rice surplus state."
However, Sahoo demanded immediate assistance for farmers whose paddy crops were damaged by unseasonal rains. He stated, "The government must purchase all the paddy from farmers and provide them with compensation without waiting for the insurance company to act."
Overall, the event saw various leaders expressing their concerns and sharing their plans to improve the agricultural sector in Odisha. The government's efforts to boost local potato cultivation and develop cold storage facilities show their commitment to addressing the state's potato crisis and making Odisha self-sufficient in potato production.
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