West Bengal plans new cold storage facilities to meet growing potato production

INDIA – The West Bengal government has announced plans to build seven new cold storage facilities in North Bengal to accommodate the region’s increasing potato production.

The Agricultural Marketing Department has received approval from the Fire and Emergency Services Department to construct godowns with a height of 18 meters, a significant increase from the previously allowed 15 meters.

Becharam Manna, the state Agricultural Marketing Minister, highlighted the pressing need for additional storage space, saying, “The number of storage facilities in North Bengal is inadequate considering the steep rise in potato cultivation there. The entrepreneurs have reasoned that construction of godowns up to 18 meters in height will be beneficial for the farmers as they will be able to store more, and entrepreneurs will be able to earn more as rent from the farmers.”

Manna expressed optimism that the new facilities would be ready for use by January or February next year when the new potato harvest begins.

This development is expected to significantly alleviate the storage challenges that farmers in the region have faced in recent years.

The new storage facilities will not only benefit local farmers but also enhance the region’s ability to export potatoes to neighboring states.

An official from the Agricultural Marketing Department explained, “Potatoes from North Bengal are also exported to the northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur. The additional storage will also facilitate export.”

The previous lack of storage space had forced farmers to sell their produce at low prices, as they could not store their harvests until market conditions improved.

This led to widespread discontent among potato producers, who resorted to roadblocks to demand fair prices for their produce.

“We hope with the new storage facilities such problems will be addressed to a reasonable extent,” the official added, expressing confidence that the new infrastructure would provide much-needed relief to the region’s farmers.

Currently, there are 472 potato storage godowns in West Bengal, with more than 410 of them operational. However, the existing facilities have proven insufficient to meet the needs of the rapidly growing potato sector in North Bengal.

The decision to increase the height of the new godowns to 18 meters was taken after extensive discussions between the Agricultural Marketing Department, the Fire and Emergency Services Department, and the state’s chief secretary.

The approval of the new storage facilities marks a critical step forward in supporting North Bengal’s agricultural sector.

As the region continues to expand its potato production, the state government’s initiative aims to ensure that farmers can store their produce securely and receive fair prices in the market.

These efforts are expected to significantly enhance the livelihoods of potato farmers in North Bengal and strengthen the region’s position in the domestic and export markets.

The new facilities will also contribute to the overall stability of West Bengal’s potato industry, which plays a vital role in the state’s economy.