Northern Bengal potato sector under trouble

SILIGURI: Just before the onset of farming season immediately after monsoon, potato farmers in northern West Bengal are now exposed to a critical scenario of seed potato.

“Potato in West Bengal had always remained dependent on seed imported from UP or Punjab. But the choice turned towards seed from neighbouring country Bhutan couple of years back,” said A. Choudhury DEAN, North Bengal Agriculture University.

According to the farmers, the shift took place mainly due to fewer hazards in importing them from Bhutan. Indo-Bhutan border is just within 100 km from Jalpaiguri and Cochbehar districts those contribute around 30% to West Bengal’s total output which is near 7.5% of India’s national yield of around 450 Lakh Metric ton.

But, “Now supply of Bhutan seed has become erratic. But we cannot shift to Punjab or HP seeds overnight as our farming practice has become tuned to Bhutan seed. We will be in deep trouble unless quality seed does not reach here in adequate quantity before the farming season opens in October,” said D. Mondal, a potato farmer from Jalpaiguri.

Officially, WB State Seed Corporation plays the role of seed trading in the state. Despite that, “Large chunk of farmers remained dependent on unorganized import of seed,” said farmers.

“Heavy price increase of UP or Punjab seed during the last couple of years gave a wide opening to Bhutan seed here,” said Mr. Ananda Paul, a leading seed trader. “Being free from black marketing or multi tire illegal traders racketing, Bhutan seed is much economical compared to Punjab varieties,” claimed farmers in Dhupguri.

In addition, Bhutan authorities even distributed free seed and conducted organized field survey in districts like Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, Hoogly or Burdwan couple of years back. “That returned higher output than Punjab seeds output,” claimed officials in Bhutan Potato Development Program.

However, “Now Government should take up the issue at the Diplomatic level to ensure an adequate supply of Bhutan seeds. Otherwise, the long term scenario of state agri-output may get disastrous,” said leading potato wholesalers.