500-MT cold storage capacity boost for farmers in Odisha’s Kendrapara

A cold storage facility with a storage capacity of 500 metric tonnes was inaugurated at the Jamadhar area in Kendrapara district on Monday. 

The facility, constructed by the Regulated Market Committee, was formally inaugurated by local MP and BJP National Vice-President Baijayant Panda. 

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 1.80 crore, the cold storage is expected to benefit farmers from nine blocks and two municipalities in the district. Speaking at the inauguration, Panda said farmers can now store their produce such as potatoes, tomatoes, brinjal, cabbage, green chillies and other vegetables in the facility.

He added that the cold storage will help farmers avoid distress sales of their produce and strengthen the rural economy. The fulfilment of this long-standing demand has brought cheer among the farming community.

On the occasion, a mobile ambulance service for domestic animals was also launched.

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The event was also attended by Kendrapara MLA Ganeswar Behera, Municipality Chairperson Sarita Sahu, District Collector Raghuram R. Iyer, Regulated Market Committee Chairman Bidyadhar Behera, among others.

"The establishment of a cold storage facility in Kendrapara had long been a cherished dream and a repeated demand of the people. Such a facility was essential to boost and strengthen the rural economy. Although several governments in the past had promised to set up a cold storage unit, the project could not be realised for years. With the double-engine government now in place under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in the State and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre, projects that remained stalled earlier are now being implemented at a rapid pace. The setting up of the cold storage in Kendrapara has led many to believe that a long-cherished dream has finally come true. However, I would say this is just the beginning of the dream. Many more such infrastructure projects will be developed in the future to further strengthen the region’s economy," said Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda.

"It's a matter of joy that a cold storage facility with a storage capacity of 500 metric tonnes was inaugurated in Kendrapara by the MP in our presence today. The farmers were waiting for it and they will be definitely be benefitted," said Kendrapara MLA Ganeswar Behera.

"All the people in the area are happy over the development. The cold storage was set up after the BJP government came to power. We have been demanding a cold storage for the last 25 years. Now, it has been set up," said Baishnab Charan Rout, a farmer.