Bihar is witnessing a significant transformation in its potato sector as large food processing companies begin to invest and source produce directly from the state. This marks a notable development, with the state venturing into the cultivation of specific varieties of potatoes and tomatoes tailored for industrial processing for the first time. These include ‘Chipsona’ potatoes and processing-variety tomatoes.
The focus on these particular varieties is directly linked to demand from major food processing companies that produce items like tomato sauce and potato chips. These companies have reportedly placed substantial orders for the produce. For instance, the Tirhut Vegetable Association (Tirhut Sabzi Sangh) has received an order for ten thousand metric tonnes of tomatoes from processing companies. Additionally, Patna has received an order for one thousand metric tonnes of both potatoes and tomatoes.
To facilitate this new agricultural initiative, the state has partnered with key farmer producer organisations. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between three vegetable producer associations from the state – the Tirhut Vegetable Processing and Marketing Association (Tirhut Sabzi Prasanskaran Evam Vipanan Sangh), the Mithila Vegetable Processing and Marketing Association, and the Harit Vegetable Processing Marketing Cooperative Association – and a large multinational processing company.
Supporting this shift towards processing-grade produce, selected farmers undertaking this cultivation have been provided with specialised training. A Center of Excellence has also been established to support this type of farming. The Cooperative Department played a crucial role by distributing seeds and plants to the farmer associations. Specifically, 7.91 lakh kilograms of chipsona potato seeds were distributed among the Tirhut, Mithila, and Harit vegetable producer associations. Furthermore, 30 lakh tomato plants were distributed among farmers across the state.
The initial results from this cultivation are promising. The state has seen an estimated total production of six lakh metric tonnes of potatoes and forty lakh metric tonnes of tomatoes. Giving a specific example, the Chairman of the Tirhut Vegetable Processing and Marketing Cooperative Association, Amit Kumar Shukla, stated that his association received 3.64 lakh kilograms of potato seeds, which were distributed among 800 farmers and resulted in a production of three thousand metric tonnes of potatoes.
Produce from this new cultivation is already being processed within the state. According to Prabhat Kumar, the Managing Director of Vegfed, chips and tomato sauce are now being made from the potatoes and tomatoes grown in Bihar. Companies have already taken two consignments of potatoes and tomatoes.
This initiative highlights a positive trend where Bihar’s agricultural produce is meeting the quality standards required by large processing companies, creating new market opportunities for its farmers.
