Bengal’s potato output seen up by 16{79e59ee6e2f5cf570628ed7ac4055bef3419265de010b59461d891d43fac5627} on higher area, favourable weather

Potato generation in West Bengal is believed to be better by just about 16 per cent at 110 lakh tonnes (lt) this yr, compared to ninety five lt in 2020. The better generation of the tuber in Bengal and other key increasing States such as Uttar Pradesh and Punjab is probably to exert stress on rates.

Wholesale price of the tuber (the widespread Jyoti variety) has currently halved to ₹800 a quintal across several markets in the Point out compared to ₹1,500-one,600 in the exact same period of time very last yr.

Potato cold storages may perhaps run out of room before long

In accordance to Patit Paban De, former president of West Bengal Chilly Storage Association, the increase in generation is principally for the reason that of better spot and the favourable climatic situations for the duration of sowing and harvesting period of time.

“Last yr, farmers acquired extremely superior price for their crop because of to the decreased generation and the continuous need pretty much throughout the yr. This has encouraged them to go for better cultivation of the crop this yr. In addition, the favourable climatic situation in the variety of a long winter has aided increase the productiveness and produce,” De informed BusinessLine.

Potato generation in the Point out was impacted in 2020 because of to delayed sowing and unfavourable climate situations for the duration of harvesting. The continuous need for the tuber from inside the Point out as properly as the neighbouring markets stored rates agency.

The wholesale price of the tuber had greater to just about ₹3,400-3,500 a quintal in mid-November very last yr. On the other hand, rates started out inching down and were being noticed ruling at all around ₹1,400-2,000 in early January.

Potato, onion generation believed at document

Bumper Loading

Cultivation of the spud in Bengal is spread around shut to four.6 lakh hectares. Hooghly, Burdwan, Bankura, East Midnapore and West Midnapore are key increasing districts. There has been all around 5-seven per cent increase in acreage this yr, resources claimed.

In accordance to De, loading in cold storages is pretty much complete and most keep residences have been stored to upto 97 per cent potential. The loading in cold storages was decreased in 2020 at only fifty five lakh tonnes (around seventy nine per cent of the overall potential).

There are all around 400 cold storages in Bengal and the overall storage potential is believed to be shut to 70 lt.

“While the rates are ruling continuous at present but we come to feel at the time the unloading begins then rates will commence inching down,” claimed Mintu Ghosh, a potato trader, in the Bankura district of West Bengal.