West Bengal Government Fixes Rs 900 Per Quintal as Minimum Support Price for Potatoes.

Kolkata:

In a bid to support potato farmers and protect their interests, the West Bengal government has approved a new Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 900 per quintal for potatoes. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made the announcement on Tuesday, stating that the decision was taken to prevent farmers from resorting to distress sales due to unfavorable market conditions.

Speaking at a press conference at the state secretariat, Banerjee explained that the new MSP would provide relief to farmers, ensuring they receive a fair price for their crops and are not forced to sell at a loss. “We have decided to fix the new minimum support price for potatoes at Rs 900 per quintal to help the farmers. This will also ensure that they do not have to resort to distress sale of their produce,” she said.

The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to criticize the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for releasing water from its reservoirs without informing the state government. Banerjee claimed that the sudden water release had caused significant damage to potato crops, which had already been suffering due to adverse weather conditions. She called the DVC’s actions irresponsible and detrimental to the agricultural sector in the state.

The decision to fix the MSP comes at a time when farmers in the state have been grappling with fluctuating potato prices, which have severely impacted their income. By setting a fixed rate, the government hopes to stabilize the market and ensure that farmers are protected from price volatility.

This step is part of the West Bengal government’s broader efforts to safeguard the welfare of its farming community, with a particular focus on those growing essential crops like potatoes. The new MSP is expected to offer much-needed financial security to farmers during the upcoming harvesting season.