Odisha Rushes to Solve Potato Crisis with Procurement from UP

Facing a severe potato crisis due to inconsistent supply from West Bengal, the Odisha government is procuring tubers from Uttar Pradesh and considering procurement from Punjab. Officials assure normalcy will be restored within days as they aim to stabilize market prices and availability.

The state of Odisha is scrambling to tackle a severe potato shortage by procuring tubers from Uttar Pradesh. The crisis, triggered by inconsistent supplies from West Bengal, has led to a surge in prices and dwindling availability.

Odisha's Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister KC Patra indicated that market normalcy is expected to return in two to three days with the fresh influx of potatoes from UP. In a further move to stabilize the market, the government is contemplating buying potatoes from Punjab as well.

Patra convened a meeting with members of the traders' association and cold storage owners on Tuesday evening, post which it was decided to ramp up procurement from UP. However, several local traders expressed dissatisfaction, citing the sweet taste of UP potatoes as a deterrent for local consumers.

(With inputs from agencies.)