Almost 25% of potato yield in India is under jeopardy

Despite healthy and well distributed rainfall in just concluded monsoon, West Bengal, one of the most important potato growing zones in the country, is likely to have major down fall in potato yield in next Rabi crop season.

Courtesy- prevailing post monsoon meteorological disturbances.

West Bengal produces around 9.5 Million Ton of potato, around 25% of national yield, that is under jeopardy.

"After showing almost normal picture since June first week, monsoon has left the region on the 21 stOctober against normal withdrawal time between 10 thto 15 thOct. While the rainfall remained 106% of normal level nationally, regional figure for Sikkim and sub Himalayan West Bengal remained around 115%. Against normal measure of 1710 mm, actual rainfall recorded in this region was 2006mm. But overall, we may consider the rainfall picture as quite normal and appreciable,"said Mr. G. N. Raha, Senior meteorologist from Indian Meteorology Department

But, "We are witnessing post monsoon disturbances here causing lack of Sun shine, some extra rainfall and increased humidity,"he added. As the data speaks, post monsoon rainfall here, during 23rd October to 30th October, remained 23% higher than normal.

As an obvious and serious effect of this, "Potato yield of this region as well as whole state may get largely affected,"said Prof. A. Chowdhury, Dean, North Bengal Agriculture University.

As he explained, barring areas too close to Himalaya at extreme northern part, entire state starts receiving warm western wind by the end of winter. This wind helps potato to attain final stage of its maturity at the end of its growth cycle. But, due to water logging and wet soil, beginning of Rabi crop season potato sowing, normally done during this season, is getting significantly delayed. And this will delay the whole cycle.

"Naturally, arrival of western wind will mature the potato before its attaining full growth. This will cause severe downfall in yield volume and quality,"said Prof. Choudhury.

Moreover, "Officially, WB State Seed Corporation plays the role of seed trading in state. But, lion's share of farmers is practically dependent on unorganized import of seed mainly from Bhutan. But these Bhutan seeds, that demands sowing by end October, are getting damaged in store due to delay of the cycle,"said Badal Paul, potato farmer in Dhupguri, the most important potato producing region in northern West Bengal.

Source: The Economic Times