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

Potato production in West Bengal is believed to be larger by virtually 16 for each cent at 110 lakh tonnes (lt) this 12 months, when compared to 95 lt in 2020. The larger production of the tuber in Bengal and other crucial rising States which include Uttar Pradesh and Punjab is likely to exert tension on selling prices.

Wholesale selling price of the tuber (the popular Jyoti wide range) has by now halved to ₹800 a quintal throughout different markets in the Point out when compared to ₹1,five hundred-1,600 in the very same period of time final 12 months.

Potato chilly storages may well operate out of space soon

In accordance to Patit Paban De, former president of West Bengal Chilly Storage Affiliation, the increase in production is mostly since of larger location and the favourable climatic ailments in the course of sowing and harvesting period of time.

“Last 12 months, farmers obtained very superior selling price for their crop due to the decrease production and the constant desire almost all over the 12 months. This has inspired them to go for larger cultivation of the crop this 12 months. Additionally, the favourable climatic problem in the kind of a very long winter has helped maximize the productivity and produce,” De explained to BusinessLine.

Potato production in the Point out was impacted in 2020 due to delayed sowing and unfavourable weather ailments in the course of harvesting. The constant desire for the tuber from inside the Point out as perfectly as the neighbouring markets kept selling prices firm.

The wholesale selling price of the tuber had enhanced to virtually ₹3,four hundred-three,five hundred a quintal in mid-November final 12 months. Nonetheless, selling prices begun inching down and ended up observed ruling at close to ₹1,four hundred-two,000 in early January.

Potato, onion production believed at record

Bumper Loading

Cultivation of the spud in Bengal is distribute about shut to 4.six lakh hectares. Hooghly, Burdwan, Bankura, East Midnapore and West Midnapore are crucial rising districts. There has been close to 5-seven for each cent maximize in acreage this 12 months, resources stated.

In accordance to De, loading in chilly storages is almost total and most retail outlet properties have been stored to upto ninety seven for each cent capacity. The loading in chilly storages was decrease in 2020 at only 55 lakh tonnes (around 79 for each cent of the full capacity).

There are close to four hundred chilly storages in Bengal and the full storage capacity is believed to be shut to 70 lt.

“While the selling prices are ruling constant at present but we sense after the unloading commences then selling prices will begin inching down,” stated Mintu Ghosh, a potato trader, in the Bankura district of West Bengal.