News on Potato Cultivation from West Bengal

The potato shortage in Odisha (India) has eased somewhat after the West Bengal government allowed the supply of potato to other states for a week. Experts suggest increasing local production by using HTPS seeds and improving storage facilities.

West Bengal's decision to halt potato supply to other states, particularly BJP-ruled ones, has triggered a political showdown, leading to shortages and price hikes in affected regions.

The Agriculture department of Government of West Bengal has started potato cultivation with Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) process at the Centre of Floriculture and Agri-Business Management (COFAM) department of the University of North Bengal in Siliguri.

Potato production in the current crop year is estimated to be 53.60 mt, down from 56.17 mt last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture's first estimate of horticulture production.

Potato prices in West Bengal have firmed up by nearly 44 per cent over the last two months on the back of steady demand from other States.

The West-Bengal government (India) has recently abandoned its proposed potato processing unit in Hooghly's Sheoraphuli after no private company showed interest in the project.