1 year ago
Potato Price Plunge Threatens West Bengal's Economy
Imagine farmers growing lots of potatoes, but now the price they can sell them for has gone way down.
The people who store the potatoes are worried, too.
They're holding tons of potatoes because of a rule that stopped them from selling outside the state.
They're asking the government to help by buying the potatoes at a better price, helping them sell to other places, and using the potatoes in school lunches.
If the government doesn't help, farmers might lose money, stop growing potatoes, and the whole potato business could suffer.
Wholesale potato prices in West Bengal have dropped sharply.
The West Bengal Cold Storage Association warns of losses for farmers and operators.
Cold storages hold a record 70.85 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes.
The Association urges the state to intervene with procurement and trade measures.
The Rs 10,000-crore potato economy faces potential crisis without support.
- Who
- West Bengal Cold Storage Association, farmers, and state government.
- What
- Sharp drop in wholesale potato prices.
- Where
- West Bengal.
- When
- Wholesale prices trading at Rs 9 per kg after May.
- Why
- To prevent financial losses and a rural economic crisis.
West Bengal Cold Storage Association
State Government
Government intervention measures
West Bengal Cold Storage Association
Immediate procurement at MSP, revival of inter-state and international potato trade, and incorporation of potatoes into public welfare schemes.
State Government
No stated opposing view.
Key facts
- Wholesale Price Drop
- Rs 9/kg
- MSP (Start of May)
- Rs 15/kg
- Total Potato Stock
- 70.85 lakh metric tonnes
- Government Promise
- Procure 11 lakh tonnes of potatoes
- Affected Areas
- Burdwan, Bankura, Medinipur, North Bengal
- Sector Value
- Rs 10,000 crore

