West Bengal Agriculture Marketing Minister Becharam Manna on Wednesday issued a stern warning to those allegedly spreading misinformation regarding potato production and pricing, accusing certain groups of attempting to tarnish the image of the state government and undermine farmers' interests.
“If the potato farmers of the state are affected, I will not leave the conspirators alone,” Manna declared, reacting to reports that a section of cold storage owners and potato traders were involved in a campaign designed to create confusion and pressure the government into procuring potatoes from them.
State officials dismissed claims that Bengal has witnessed low potato output this year. The agriculture department stated that not only West Bengal but also states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have recorded bumper potato yields in 2025.
During the March harvest, the average market price for potatoes in Uttar Pradesh was between ₹900 and ₹1,100 per quintal. In West Bengal, prices ranged from ₹950 to ₹1,149 for the same quantity.
To protect farmers from market exploitation, the state fixed the procurement price of the Jyoti variety at ₹9 per kg. An official from the agriculture department noted that many farmers sold their produce above the support price due to strong market demand.
This year, 70.85 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes have been stored in 519 cold storages across Bengal—an increase of 1.2 lakh metric tonnes over the previous year. So far, around 21 lakh metric tonnes have been released into the market.
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Retail prices in Kolkata currently hover around ₹20 per kg, though they vary by district.
The Agriculture Marketing Department alleged that some cold storage owners and traders are falsely claiming that potatoes are not being released as expected, thereby attempting to fuel panic over prices. Officials believe the motive is to compel the government to buy their stored produce—an allegation the government has dismissed as baseless and misleading.
To counter market pressure and stabilise retail prices, the state has ramped up distribution through government-backed schemes, including the Mid-Day Meal Programme and Sufal Bangla outlets.
“More potatoes are being sold through Sufal Bangla and other government schemes, so that farmers can actually see profits,” said Manna.
A counter-campaign has also been launched by the government to combat misinformation and maintain transparency in procurement and pricing. Authorities have warned that if concrete evidence is found against anyone involved in the alleged conspiracy, strict legal action will follow.
The Agriculture Marketing Department reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fair prices for farmers and safeguarding the state's agricultural economy from vested interest groups.
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