Potato production may dip 30%

Potato production in West Bengal is likely to be 30 per cent less than the previous year on account of late blight disease.

Naren De, West Bengal agriculture minister said at a seminar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) that potato production this year would be 22,00,000 ton less than normal. This comes after a record potato production of around 80,00,000 ton last year, an increase of nearly 60 per cent over the previous year's production of 50,00000 ton, in the state.

In 2007, when potato production was 50,00000 ton, late blight disease had damaged potato crop spread over 85 per cent of the cultivable area. However, in the subsequent year, a bumper crop led to a large distress sale by the farmers and the state government had to intervene by providing certain subsidy, which helped traders more than farmers.

Short winter and high dependence on imported seeds have often been attributed to potato crop failure in the state. This year only 35 per cent of potato seeds had been imported from Punjab. About 45,00,000 ton of potato in West Bengal is consumed in the state. The balance is usually transported to Orissa, Assam and Andhra Pradesh. The total capacity of the 370-odd cold storages meant for storage of potato only in West Bengal is around 53,00,000 ton.