The total area under potato cultivation in West Bengal is expected to remain unchanged or decrease slightly compared with last year, according to growers and industry sources. West Bengal, India's second-largest potato-producing state, had around 4.9 lakh hectares under potato in 2024 to 2025, with production estimated at 115 lakh tons following a high-yield season.
Patit Paban De, a senior member of the West Bengal Cold Storage Association, said, "This year, the total area under cultivation may remain the same or decline slightly compared to last year. Sowing area may decrease because last year farmers did not get good prices for potatoes due to a bumper production." He added that around 65 to 70 per cent of sowing has been completed, with the remaining plantings expected to finish within the next two weeks.
The main potato-producing districts in South Bengal are Hooghly, Bardhaman, and Paschim Medinipur. Hooghly may experience reduced acreage this season because some farmland remains waterlogged after flooding. Heavy rainfall affected several districts in September. A grower from Haripal village in Hooghly, Pradyut Maity, said, "This time I have sown potatoes in a slightly lesser area compared to last year as around six cottah of my field has remained inundated. Several farmers are facing the same problem."
In contrast, cultivation in North Bengal is expanding. De said, "The area under cultivation is growing in districts like Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Malda."
Producers continue to monitor planting progress and field conditions as the season advances, particularly in areas recovering from recent weather impacts.
Source: BusinessLine
