Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Gagan Kumar Dhal has urged the Union Government to hike the subsidy amount for setting up of cold storages in the State.
While meeting Union Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shovan Pattnayak in New Delhi last week, Dhal urged the Union Government to raise the subsidy amount to at least 80 per cent, being provided by the National Horticulture Board (NHB).
Dhal said as entrepreneurs are coming down to invest in cold storage sector and Odisha direly needs more and more cold storages, the APC stressed upon the hike in amount of subsidy.
last year, the NHB has funded only one cold storage, whereas there is huge requirement of cold storages in the State as farmers require more and more backward support, admit officials.
He favoured the concept of hub of cold storages and there is huge requirement in Baleswar, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, where these hubs can be set up. There are 48 cold storages and the NHB is giving 40 per cent subsidy which is very low and should be raised to 80 per cent, said an official.
APC Dhal also urged for tax holidays for the entrepreneurs coming up for setting up of cold storages in the State. Union Secretary Pattnayak agreed to it and urged the State to present a proposal giving out details, said sources.
Dhal, who was here to discuss issues pertaining to doubling farmers’ income with the Union Government officials, urged the Centre to take the strength of each State to be taken into account while dealing with the doubling proposal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be taking a review on doubling the farmers’ income on June 16. So, before that, Union Secretary Pattanayak held discussion with several State Government officials engaged in agriculture and allied sector.
Dhal said that strength of Odisha lies in rice production and the State is a major contributor to national food grain coffer. The APC urged overall qualitative improvement in rice production and value addition of the produce.
He said diversification from rice to other cash crops in Rabi season is being taken up. However, the farmers need guidance in this regard.
Dhal said that with diversion for cash crops, Odisha is emerging as a major grower of mango, cabbage and other fruits and vegetables.