West Bengal is expected to achieve a record potato harvest of over 130 lakh tonnes this year, driven by an increase in cultivation area and favorable weather conditions. Last year, the state, which is the second largest producer of potatoes in the country, yielded around 100 lakh tonnes of the crop.
According to Patit Paban De, a senior member of the West Bengal Cold Storage Association, potato production is likely to exceed 130 lakh tonnes this year, with the cultivation area expanding to 5.12 lakh hectares. The favorable weather in the potato-growing regions of the state has contributed to the increased output.
Last year, potato production in the state was affected by untimely rains. However, this year’s harvesting season started in mid-January, with the Pukhraj variety being the first to hit the markets, followed by the Jyoti variety. A small quantity of the expensive Chandramukhi variety is also making its way to the markets.
Major potato-growing regions in West Bengal include Hooghly, Medinipur, and Bardhaman. Cold storages will begin loading the new potato crops starting from March 1.
To support farmers and prevent distress sales, the West Bengal government set the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for potatoes at ₹900 per quintal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced this decision during a press conference at the State secretariat earlier this week.
Last year, the state government imposed a ban on interstate potato trade after prices soared in West Bengal. The state typically sells around 20-25 lakh tonnes of surplus potatoes to other states like Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Assam.
With the state expecting a bumper potato crop this year, the surplus production is likely to benefit neighboring states that rely on potatoes grown in West Bengal. The potato market in the state is anticipated to remain strong with the increased production and MSP support provided by the government.
