West Bengal this year is facing a glut in potato production as 65 lakh tonnes of potato produced during the '99-00 crop season (October-March). Though the crop area shrank by 2,000 hectares to 3.13 lakh hectares, potato production during the period was better than expected and was short by only one-lakh tonnes compared to the previous year. Experts say the shortfall could have been higher, but improved productivity stemmed the fall. So far, about 26 lakh tonnes of potato can be held in cold storages at a time. It may be recalled that the state has been witnessing excess production for the past several years, which often forced farmers to sell the crop below the remunerative price. Two years ago, potato prices crashed to Rs. 2-2.50 per kg, which was half its remunerative price. The price crash, however, was averted last year with the state govt. taking initiative to export some quantity of potato. Currently, the potato price is ruling between Rs. 5-5.50 per kg in open markets in the state. To keep the price stable at that level, the state government has now taken initiative to transport the commodity in bulk to other states, as reported by market sources. |
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