Bengal to offer land to CPRI for seed development

Kolkata, Feb 8: The West Bengal government plans to offer land to Central Potato Research Institute for development of seeds in the state.

The government is trying to bring CPRI for seed production in the state, state Agricultural Marketing Minister Arup Roy said.

"We are in the process of identifying land for the CPRI in West Midnapur," he said. Officials of West Bengal Cold Storage Association said government has identified a 50 acre plot but 200 acres are required for proper seed development centre.

Currently, out of the demand of seven-eight lakh tonnes of potato seeds in the state, about 5 lakh tonnes of seeds are imported from northern states, the officials said.

Roy said though there are reports of late blight, there will be no shortage of potato this year and government will monitor the price.

PTI