West Bengal's potato crisis: Ban on inter-state movement threatens growers, cold storages
The government's move has irked the cold storage owners in the state as the ban is causing irreparable damage to the cold storage industry in the state. If the stocks in the cold storages are not cleared, it will lead to distress sales and spoilage of potatoes, thus hurting both the potato growers and the rural economy.
Subhajit Saha, Vice President of West Bengal Cold Storage Association, said, “The ban on inter-state potato movement is causing irreparable damage to the cold storage industry in West Bengal. The cold storages in South Bengal, particularly in districts of Bankura, Midnapore and parts of Burdwan and Hooghly, are facing the full brunt of this decision."
«With large stocks of potatoes lying unused, farmers, especially small and medium-sized ones, are left with no recourse. The cold storage industry is already facing a challenge with low occupancy rates, and this restriction is further exacerbating the crisis,» Saha said.
In West Bengal, potato production has traditionally been consumed in a 60:40 ratio, with 60% consumed within the state and the remaining 40% traded with other states. However, due to the state's recent apprehensions over potential shortages in potato stocks stored in cold storage units, a complete ban was imposed on the inter-state movement of potatoes, irrespective of the variety of potato being traded.
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