|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Bengal braces for record 140-150 lakh tonnes potato harvest in 2025-26
|
|
Friday, 20 February, 2026, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
|
|
Our Bureau, New Delhi
|
West Bengal, India’s second-largest potato producer, is on track to achieve a historic milestone with production projected to reach a record 140–150 lakh tonnes (14-15 million tons) for the 2025-26 season. This surge represents a significant jump from the 115 lakh tonnes recorded last year, fueled by exceptionally favorable weather and a marginal increase in cultivation area.
Agricultural experts attribute this "bumper crop" to a prolonged cool winter and optimal temperatures during the critical tuber development stage. Harvesting is currently in full swing across the primary potato-growing hubs of Hooghly, Bardhaman, and Paschim Medinipur.
"The yields this year are exceeding expectations, with some areas reporting over 30 tonnes per hectare," noted industry representatives. The total area under cultivation has expanded to approximately 5.13 lakh hectares, up from 5.12 lakh hectares in the previous cycle.
While the production figures are a win for agricultural output, they present a logistical challenge. The state’s 580 cold storage units have a combined capacity of roughly 70–80 lakh tonnes. With domestic consumption hovering around 60-65 lakh tonnes, Bengal faces a staggering surplus of nearly 70–85 lakh tonnes.
At the farm gate, prices are currently under pressure due to the high volume of early arrivals. The state government has previously intervened with a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ?900 per quintal to stabilize the market. As the season progresses, the focus remains on ensuring that this record-breaking harvest translates into prosperity for the state's 1.5 million potato farmers rather than a market glut.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|