Bhubaneswar: The state government will set up cold storage facilities in all sub-divisions soon to help out the farmers.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made the announcement after holding discussions with several farmers’ associations here at Krushi Bhawan, Saturday.
Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister KV Singh Deo and department Secretary Arabinda Padhee were present on the occassion.
“The state government will take steps to set up a cold store in each sub-division of Odisha for the benefit of farmers. In the initial phase, the facilities will be available in 58 sub-divisions of the state,” affirmed Majhi.
It is alleged that farmers in the state often have to resort to distress sale of their produce in the absence of preservation facilities.
The Chief Minister also revealed that the government is set to frame guidelines for inclusion of all eligible farmers in the state under PM Kisan Yojana.
“The state government will soon introduce the Samrudhha Krushak Niti Yojana to provide all assistance to the farmers starting from the sowing of seeds to marketing of their produce,” he added.
Several farmers’ outfits have expressed their gratitude over government’s decision.
Earlier, the government had taken a decision to buy paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal from the farmers.
PNN