Potato farmers express discontent over poor production in West Bengal

Potato growers in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal expressed their discontent over the lack of produce due to poor rain and said they are left with no option than to commit suicide if they are not compensated.

The life of potato farmers of Jalpaiguri is in great despair as torrid weather, poor rains and subsequent pest attack have resulted into less produce.

Famers say they will be left with no option but to end their lives due to less produce in the region as their financial investments were heavy.

This year the farmers invested from rupees 18,000 to rupees 22,000 per bigha (1 bigha = 0.33 acres) but managed to get back only rupees 10,000 per bigha of their investment. Therefore, farmers have no way to make up for their loss.

"I spent rupees 50,000 for sowing and fertilizers. This time I am not getting anything out of it due to lack of produce. If there is no compensation, there is no other way than to commit suicide," said a potato grower, Suresh Roy in Jalpaiguri.

Recently, a 38-years-old farmer in Burdwan district in West Bengal, Lakshiram Hembram, committed suicide after his crop was damaged due to incessant rainfall and blights.

The district of Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar and some parts of Malda are notable for the production of potato in the whole of West Bengal. Good amount of potatoes are supplied to the neighbouring states of West Bengal and to the nearby country of Nepal.