Bengal’s potato output seen up by 16% on higher area, favourable weather

Potato production in West Bengal is estimated to be greater by just about 16 for each cent at 110 lakh tonnes (lt) this year, in contrast to 95 lt in 2020. The greater production of the tuber in Bengal and other crucial expanding States together with Uttar Pradesh and Punjab is most likely to exert force on rates.

Wholesale price of the tuber (the popular Jyoti variety) has previously halved to ₹800 a quintal throughout various markets in the State in contrast to ₹1,five hundred-1,600 in the exact same interval very last year.

Potato cold storages could run out of space quickly

According to Patit Paban De, former president of West Bengal Cold Storage Affiliation, the rise in production is mostly mainly because of greater place and the favourable climatic ailments during sowing and harvesting interval.

“Last year, farmers bought incredibly excellent price for their crop owing to the reduced production and the regular desire nearly in the course of the year. This has inspired them to go for greater cultivation of the crop this year. Furthermore, the favourable climatic ailment in the kind of a extensive winter has served maximize the productiveness and yield,” De advised BusinessLine.

Potato production in the State was impacted in 2020 owing to delayed sowing and unfavourable weather ailments during harvesting. The regular desire for the tuber from inside of the State as properly as the neighbouring markets kept rates firm.

The wholesale price of the tuber experienced greater to just about ₹3,four hundred-three,five hundred a quintal in mid-November very last year. However, rates started inching down and had been noticed ruling at about ₹1,four hundred-2,000 in early January.

Potato, onion production estimated at record

Bumper Loading

Cultivation of the spud in Bengal is unfold about near to four.six lakh hectares. Hooghly, Burdwan, Bankura, East Midnapore and West Midnapore are crucial expanding districts. There has been about 5-7 for each cent maximize in acreage this year, sources explained.

According to De, loading in cold storages is nearly entire and most retail outlet residences have been stored to upto ninety seven for each cent capacity. The loading in cold storages was reduced in 2020 at only 55 lakh tonnes (roughly 79 for each cent of the complete capacity).

There are about four hundred cold storages in Bengal and the complete storage capacity is estimated to be near to 70 lt.

“While the rates are ruling regular at current but we experience at the time the unloading commences then rates will start out inching down,” explained Mintu Ghosh, a potato trader, in the Bankura district of West Bengal.