Cost reduction can make W B global player in potato production

Kolkata, May 3 (UNI) West Bengal can become a global player in potato market with reduced production and cold storage costs, experts at a symposium laid here today.

Speaking at an interactive session on ''Pre and Post Harvest Technology for Potato Suitable for West Bengal,'' organised by the West Bengal Cold Storage Association, they observed that the state could also become the largest producer of potato in the country, surpassing Uttar Pradesh if cost of the ''two factors'' were reduced.

Addressing the meeting, Professor Dipak Kumar Bagachi, Vice-Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, maintained decreasing the cold storage losses without increasing the energy consumption could also certainly increase the profitability of potato and the cold store unit.

Mr Bagachi said in order to decrease the storage losses, the pre-harvest technology to produce storable grade of potatoes should be strictly followed.

''At present, setting up of cold store in India is not considered as a lucrative activity because of high initial investment followed by increasing operating cost and low rental charges prevailing in the state,'' he remarked.

Referring to the use of fertilisers and use of pesticides for increasing productivity, West Bengal Cold Storage Association president S K Tibrewal said there is world wide concern over optimum use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

''In this regard, for our state, the first and foremost requirement is to make a proper assessment of the nutrient status of the soil and recommend fertiliser dosages,'' Mr Tibrewal said.

He said this facility should be readily available to the cultivators at a low cost adding satellite laboratories should also be available at different potato growing belts to accomplish this task.

Mr Tibrewal also stressed on developing eco-friendly disease/pest management practices to boost potato production in the state as well as the entire country.

UNI