State imports 1K tonnes onion daily

Odisha procures 900 to 1,000 metric tonnes of onion from other States everyday to meet its daily requirement of 1048.26 metric tonnes, informed Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma in the Assembly on Saturday. In a written reply to a question of MlA Aswhini Kumar Patra, the Minister furnished this data citing the NSS report (68th round) and on the basis of 2014 population data. The onions are imported mainly form Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.  

The Minister said the Government has targeted to set up 450 go-downs to keep stock of onions under the National Horticulture Mission during the current year. He also informed that the Government has a proposal to introduce a State Onion Mission as long-term plan.Regarding fluctuation in prices, the Minister said onion prices skyrocketed this year due to a decline in the imports. The district Collectors have been asked to hold meetings with traders for checking hoardings and maintaining real market prices. Similarly, Nafed has been asked to supply 2,000 metric tonnes of onion to the State.

Besides, the State Government is planning to bring interest-free advance of `50 crore from the Union Government’s Price Stabilisaion Fund to purchase onions and other essential commodities during production time and to keep them in stock for offseason period, the Minister said.