Bengal’s potato output seen up by 16% on higher area, favourable weather
Potato output in West Bengal is approximated to be increased by just about sixteen per cent at a hundred and ten lakh tonnes (lt) this 12 months, in contrast to 95 lt in 2020. The increased output of the tuber in Bengal and other critical increasing States like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab is likely to exert force on charges.
Wholesale value of the tuber (the prevalent Jyoti range) has already halved to ₹800 a quintal throughout various markets in the Condition in contrast to ₹1,500-one,600 in the very same period past 12 months.
Potato chilly storages may possibly run out of space before long
In accordance to Patit Paban De, previous president of West Bengal Chilly Storage Association, the rise in output is generally because of increased space and the favourable climatic situations during sowing and harvesting period.
“Last 12 months, farmers acquired extremely fantastic value for their crop owing to the reduced output and the regular demand pretty much all over the 12 months. This has encouraged them to go for increased cultivation of the crop this 12 months. What’s more, the favourable climatic affliction in the sort of a very long winter has served enhance the productivity and produce,” De explained to BusinessLine.
Potato output in the Condition was impacted in 2020 owing to delayed sowing and unfavourable climate situations during harvesting. The regular demand for the tuber from in just the Condition as very well as the neighbouring markets kept charges business.
The wholesale value of the tuber had greater to just about ₹3,400-3,500 a quintal in mid-November past 12 months. On the other hand, charges commenced inching down and were being noticed ruling at about ₹1,400-two,000 in early January.
Potato, onion output approximated at report
Bumper Loading
Cultivation of the spud in Bengal is distribute more than near to four.six lakh hectares. Hooghly, Burdwan, Bankura, East Midnapore and West Midnapore are critical increasing districts. There has been about five-seven per cent enhance in acreage this 12 months, sources claimed.
In accordance to De, loading in chilly storages is pretty much total and most retail store homes have been saved to upto 97 per cent capability. The loading in chilly storages was reduced in 2020 at only 55 lakh tonnes (around seventy nine per cent of the whole capability).
There are about 400 chilly storages in Bengal and the whole storage capability is approximated to be near to 70 lt.
“While the charges are ruling regular at present but we really feel once the unloading starts then charges will begin inching down,” claimed Mintu Ghosh, a potato trader, in the Bankura district of West Bengal.
