Date:04/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/12/04/stories/2006120400571100.htm

Back Potato cultivation in full swing in West Bengal

Ambar Singh Roy

The State has a potato production surplus of around 45 lakh tonnes.

Kolkata , Dec. 3

Following the harvesting of the `Aus' paddy crop, potato cultivation is on in full swing in West Bengal. Among all the potato producing states in the country, West Bengal ranks No.2 in terms of potato production after Uttar Pradesh. However, with regard to productivity in terms of yield per hectare, West Bengal is ranked No 1. Sixty per cent of the potato produced in West Bengal is grown in the two adjacent districts of Bardhaman and Hooghly.

According to latest statistics - 2004-05 — available with the State Government, the total land in the State under potato cultivation is 3,18,200 hectares. The total potato production in the State in 2004-05 was pegged at 70,76,050 tonnes at an average production of 22.23 tonnes per hectare. While most of the potato crop comprises the `Jyoti' variety, the other potato varieties that are cultivated include `Chandramukhi' and `Asha.' A new variety, Chipsona I and II, with less sugar content and more dry matter, is gradually being introduced for processing purposes only. The Jyoti variety of potato - which gives higher yield per hectare compared with the Chandramukhi variety - accounts for 80 per cent of the total potato production in the State.

At present, potato seeds are being sowed in the potato-growing districts of Hooghly and Bardhaman, which together account for 60 per cent of West Bengal's potato crop. This year, a 50-kg Jyoti seed potato packet from Jaspal Singh Khular Agri Farm, Fathepur, is priced at Rs 1,400 while a Chandramukhi seed potato packet is available for Rs 1,900. The crop will be harvested in early March next year. Most of the potato crop will be lifted by `Mahajans' who have provided the farmers with seeds and fertilisers, or the money to purchase the same, under a buyback arrangement that the two parties enter into every year. Last year, each 50-kg packet of fresh Jyoti variety potatoes from the field fetched Rs 200. The price of the forthcoming crop will depend upon the quantum of production, sources said.

According to informed sources in the State Government, West Bengal has a potato production surplus of around 45 lakh tonnes. This is exported to other states across the country and even abroad.