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Hurt by the steep price fluctuation in the mass variety of potatoes (Jyoti variety), farmers in West Bengal are taking to the production of Chandramukhi – a premium category of the tuber – to earn steady returns.
While the price volatility has forced farmers to enter into contract farming arrangements with various companies such as Pepsico for the production of Atlanta and Chipsona; it has also led farmers to increase the area under cultivation and the production of the Kufri Chandramukhi variety.
The lower volatility and higher price realisation backed by a steady growth in demand for “Chandramukhi” among urban consumers is driving the rise in production, industry insiders suggest.
“Last year, when the prices of Jyoti nosedived to Rs 200 a quintal on account of bumper production, that of Chandramukhi ruled around Rs 600 due to the steady demand. Even when prices of Chandramukhi show signs of decline, the rise in demand pushes up the prices,” said Mr Sukumar Samanta, General Secretary, Singur Ratanpur Aloo Byabasayi Samiti. “Chandramukhi” currently accounts for about 10 per cent of the total potato produced in the State, up from 6-7 per cent three years ago. West Bengal produces about 95-100 lakh tonnes of the tuber annually.
“There is a rising demand for Chandramukhi due to its superior quality and better taste and this is encouraging farmers to increase production,” said Mr Arup Roy, State Agriculture Marketing Minister.
The variety, which was primarily grown in the Hughli district of West Bengal, has now been taken up by farmers in other districts such as West Midnapore, Bankura and Bardhaman, he added.
Acreage, yield
“Chandramukhi” accounts for roughly about one-fifth of the total area under potato production in the State, which stands at about four lakh hectares, said Mr Patit Paban De, Member, West Bengal Cold Storage Association. “Both Jyoti and Chandramukhi offer same yields on a given land. In fact sometimes Chandramukhi turns out better if the weather is cold and favourable,” Mr De said.
Cost Dynamics
A farmer incurs 35 per cent more expense in the production of Chandramukhi as compared with Jyoti. However, the higher expense incurred is more than offset by the price it fetches in the market.
“To cultivate Jyoti on one bigha (0.33 acre) of land a farmer spends about Rs 11,000-12,000, while the same for Chandramukhi is anywhere close to Rs 15,000-16,000. However, he still stands to gain due to the higher returns offered by the premium variety,” Mr De explained.
In the wholesale market, Chandramukhi typically earns a premium of Rs 1-2 on a kg as compared with Jyoti.
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