In Koraput district, a proposed cold storage facility with a 50-ton capacity has not progressed, affecting local farmers who cultivate vegetables and fruits over 22,000 hectares. The proposal, submitted by the deputy registrar of cooperative societies (DRCS) for implementation under 4T large-area multipurpose societies (LAMPS) at Borigumma, Kumulipur, Nandapur, and Kunduli, awaits response from the registrar of the Cooperation department. An additional proposal by the district's Horticulture department for a 10-ton capacity cold storage also remains pending.
This lack of infrastructure forces farmers to sell their produce, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, cauliflowers, tamarinds, and turmeric, at minimal prices, leading to significant losses, as highlighted by Iswar Chandra Panigrahi, president of the managing committee of Koraput Central Cooperative (KCC) Bank. The district administration had identified potential locations for these facilities following a request from the Cooperation Department, with construction expected to commence upon approval.
Source: OdishaBytes