Why Odisha is facing a potato crisis, with prices as high as Rs 60 per kg

Sub: Geo

Sec: Eco Geo

Context:

Odisha is experiencing a severe potato shortage, with prices rising to Rs 55-60/kg over the past four weeks.

Causes of the Crisis:

In mid-July, the West Bengal government banned potato exports to stabilize prices within its state.
West Bengal faced a 20% decrease in potato production due to unseasonal rains, leading to a shortage.
Odisha heavily relies on West Bengal, which is India’s second-largest potato producer, for 90% of its potato supply. Odisha’s own production is limited to 3 lakh metric tons annually, against a demand of over 13 lakh metric tons.

Previous Efforts and Challenges:

Failed Potato Mission: Launched in 2015 to increase local production, the mission failed due to inadequate cold storage and poor market linkages, leading to minimal growth in production and distress sales.
Cold Storage Issues: Out of 133 cold storage facilities in Odisha, only 36 are operational.

About Potato crop:

Potato is a temperate crop grown under subtropical conditions in India.
It was introduced in India by Portuguese sailors during the early 17th century and its cultivation was spread to North India by the British.
The potato can be grown almost on any type of soil except saline and alkaline soils.
The vegetative growth of the plant is best at a temperature of 24°C while tuber development is favoured at 20°C. Hence, potato is grown as a summer crop in the hills and as a winter crop in the tropical and subtropical regions.
China is the largest producer in the world followed by India and Russia.
In India: Uttar Pradesh followed by West Bengal.

Source: IE