West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Arambagh, March 21: Tensions escalated in the Hajipur area of Goghat in Arambagh subdivision as potato farmers staged protests outside a local cold storage facility, bringing the issue of crop storage and pricing to the forefront ahead of the upcoming elections. The agitation, which began on Friday night, saw a large number of farmers gathering in front of the Hajipur cold storage, demanding immediate intervention to address their grievances.

They had suffered significant losses last year after being unable to send potatoes to other states, resulting in unsold produce and financial distress. This year, they claim, the situation has worsened, with market prices of potatoes hitting rock bottom, leaving them heavily dependent on cold storage facilities to preserve their harvest.

Farmers have alleged that despite the pressing need of local cultivators, the cold storage authorities are prioritizing potatoes brought in from other districts, effectively sidelining local produce. This has triggered widespread anger among farmers, who argue that they are being denied fair access to essential storage facilities at a critical time.

The protest intensified, police forces were deployed at the site to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain order. In an attempt to defuse the situation, authorities introduced a token system, allowing controlled entry of produce into the storage facility. Under this arrangement, it has been decided that each farmer can store up to 50 sacks of potatoes for the time being.

The farmers have expressed dissatisfaction with this limit, pointing out that average production per bigha stands at around 80 to 90 sacks. With most farmers cultivating potatoes on four to five bighas of land, they argue that the current arrangement is grossly inadequate and fails to address the scale of their produce.

The unrest has also taken on political overtones, with the issue of potato prices and storage emerging as a key concern in this agrarian belt of West Bengal. Political observers believe that the growing discontent among farmers could have a significant impact on the electoral landscape, as the farming community plays a crucial role in shaping voting patterns in the region.

The situation remains tense, with farmers vowing to continue their protest until their demands for fair storage access and better pricing are met, making it a critical issue to watch in the run-up to the elections.