Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) There will be no immediate alleviation of the plight of potato farmers in West Bengal even as the state government is taking measures to combat the crisis, Agricultural Minister Purnendu Basu said on Thursday.
"People who think the measures taken by the state government will solve the problem immediately will be dismayed. It is a system (resolution of the plight) and takes time to translate into an action...the government had taken steps as soon as it realised the problem," Agricultural Minister Purnendu Basu told reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by the MCC Chamber of Commerce here.
Following a bumper harvest this year, farmers have allegedly not been getting proper remunerative prices amid reports of several debt-stressed farmers taking their lives. However, the state government has claimed the deaths were due to family issues and not debts.
The minister said his government would buy 50,000 metric tonnes of potatoes directly (from farmers) to supply to the Integrated Child Development Services scheme and Mid-Day meal programme free of cost.
The state government will also buy potatoes directly from farmers at Rs.5.50 per kg and sell at Rs.7 per kg through its 20 Sufal stores (fair-price stalls) in West Bengal, said Basu.
"Since there is a production surplus, we are looking at exporting it to foreign countries and talks are on in this regard. To encourage businessmen to come forward for exports, a corpus fund of Rs.10 crore has been created," he said.
The Trinamool minister said his government will offer subsidies for exporting potatoes from the state.
He said potatoes are also being exported to other states which are in need.
Officials from the state agricultural department said potato production in the state has been to the tune of 1.20 crore tonne against the demand of 74 lakh tonne while West Bengal's cold storage chain can store only 65 lakh tonne.
Press Council must get more teeth, says Prasar Bharati Chief
New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Expressing concern at the &ldq
Shahid Kapoor: Shahid Kapoor does not like the image of 'cute boy', said - hates this word
Actor Shahid Kapoor is in discussion these days about his web series 'Farzi'. Shahid Kapoor, who
Weekend Ka Vaar, the sixth week, is going to be very challenging for the housemates. The confront
Boney Kapoor: Boney Kapoor met CM Yogi, the film producer's company will build a 'Film City'
Film producer Boney Kapoor has met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Boney Kapoor pos
Google Introduces Fake Call Detection Feature to Warn Users About Scam Calls in Real Time
Google is introducing a powerful new feature called “Fake Call Detection” to help And
The cases of corona infection in the world have crossed 1.5 million. Six months ago there were le
Famous comedian Samay Raina is now trying to make his life normal again after the controversy ove
Sanju Samson on India’s Defeat: Tilak Varma’s Wicket Changed the Game; Arshdeep Injury Update
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has identified Tilak Varma’s dismissal as the turnin
The popular show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has been getting the love of the audience for ma
From the cricket field to the political corridors, the superhit song Naatu-Naatu of RRR film is r
