Kolkata is buzzing with plans as the Bengal government aims to export its surplus potato production to other Indian states following an unprecedented harvest this year. State Minister of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, Arup Roy, announced these intentions at a recent business conclave organised by ASSOCHAM. The move comes as Bengal recorded a bumper production of 1.4 crore tonnes of potatoes in 2024-25, leading to significant surpluses.
However, this abundance has brought its own set of challenges, primarily distress sales among farmers due to a lack of adequate cold storage facilities across the state. This situation echoes a similar scenario in 2012 when Bengal experienced another bumper potato crop; at that time, the surplus was utilised by providing potatoes to students in midday meals, a strategy currently under consideration again for the present year.
To address the immediate surplus and future needs, the state government is actively engaged in discussions with the agriculture marketing department to facilitate the inter-state movement of these excess potatoes. Furthermore, a critical component of the long-term solution involves encouraging private players and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to invest in and develop cold chains across Bengal. Smaraki Mahapatra, secretary in the state food processing industries and horticulture department, emphasised the government’s desire for partnerships to set up new cold storages, recognising that robust infrastructure is key to managing such large agricultural outputs effectively.
Beyond potatoes, Bengal’s agricultural sector demonstrates significant overall potential for inter-state and international trade. The state’s vegetable production stands at an impressive 163 lakh metric tonnes, while local consumption is only 95 lakh metric tonnes, leaving a substantial surplus. Similarly, fruit production is approximately 40 lakh metric tonnes against a consumption of 35 lakh metric tonnes, indicating another area of surplus. These surpluses can be effectively exported, both within India and to other countries, provided there is sufficient investment in cold chain logistics and export development. The government is also providing extensive support to tissue culture for high-value crops, aiming to further enhance production and quality.
