LPG crisis in Odisha: Firewood, steam shield Aahaar schemes

LPG Crisis in Odisha: Traditional Methods Shield Aahaar and Mid-Day Meals

While high LPG prices and supply disruptions are forcing community kitchens and mid-day meal (MDM) programmes across India to scale down or even shut operations, Odisha has remarkably managed to keep its essential feeding schemes largely unaffected.

This resilience stems from a strategic reliance on traditional and innovative cooking practices, minimizing dependence on a steady and affordable LPG gas cylinder supply.

Odisha Schools Stick with Firewood for Mid-Day Meals

The vast majority of government schools across Odisha, totaling nearly 98% of the 48,514 institutions, continue to prepare mid-day meals under the PM-Poshan scheme using firewood.

This approach ensures that over 43 lakh students, from Sishu Vatika to Class X, receive their daily meals without interruption.

“For mid-day meals, almost every school uses firewood because LPG is not a sustainable option,” explained Charulata Mohapatra, general secretary of the primary school teachers’ association.

The high volume of food prepared daily and the high cost associated with LPG make the transition financially impractical for many schools.

Aahaar Schemes and Large Kitchens Adopt Steam Cooking

Complementing this approach, the Akshaya Patra Foundation, which serves as a major partner for MDM and the state’s flagship Aahaar intervention, employs a dynamic alternative at its centralised kitchens.

The foundation utilizes a sophisticated steam cooking method for preparing meals on a massive scale for urban poor and students in districts like Cuttack, Khurda, Sundargarh, Puri, and Nayagarh.

Instead of LPG, they burn briquettes – compressed blocks made from agricultural by-products like husk – to fire steam boilers. This steam then boils massive quantities of rice, dal, and dalma.

“LPG is only used for tempering the dal and dalma,” said Arabinda Lenka, a general manager with the foundation.

This model effectively reduces vulnerability to the ongoing LPG crisis, supporting the provision of over 30,000 Aahaar meals daily across five districts, alongside feeding 2.5 lakh students.

How is the steam cooking method beneficial?

According to the Akshaya Patra Foundation, this method is beneficial as it reduces the dependency on LPG, enhances efficiency, and improves hygiene standards during large-scale food preparation.

Are firewood-based cooking methods sustainable?

While firewood-based cooking is often criticized for its environmental impact, in the current scenario of high costs and supply chain issues, it has proven crucial for ensuring uninterrupted food supply to the vulnerable populations in Odisha.