In West Bengal, the current ban on potato exports is causing unease among traders and farmers. The state government's decision to halt exports to neighboring regions has led to an accumulation of large quantities of potatoes in cold storage facilities. This situation is particularly acute in districts like Chandrakona in Paschim Medinipur, where cold stores are filled with lakhs of packets of potatoes. The ban has disrupted the usual flow of potatoes to states such as Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, leaving traders and farmers worried about the potential spoilage of their stock if it remains unsold by December.
With the impending arrival of new potatoes in the market, there is an urgent call for the administration led by Mamata Banerjee to reconsider the export restrictions. The lack of local demand for the stored potatoes, which are primarily intended for markets outside Kolkata, exacerbates the situation. Traders have reported the establishment of checkposts along state highways, which scrutinize the transport of potatoes, further complicating the issue.
The call to lift the export ban is driven by concerns over the financial losses that may result from the inability to sell the stored potatoes and the need to free up storage space for the upcoming crop. "We are facing extreme problems due to the ban. If we cannot clear the stock by December, there will be no room to store the new potatoes, and the old ones will rot," a trader explained. The resolution of this matter remains uncertain as the new potato harvest season approaches, and the state government's response is highly anticipated.
Source: Kalimpong News