Kolkata, Feb 16: The West Bengal Cold Storage Association (WBCSA), the state’s leading body representing cold storage units, held its 61st Annual General Meeting today at Taj Taal Kutir, Kolkata. The event was inaugurated by Sri Becharam Manna, MIC, Department of Agricultural Marketing, and Sri Pradip Kumar Mazumdar, MIC, Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, Government of West Bengal, and attended by industry leaders, past presidents, and key stakeholders.
Sri Sunil Kumar Rana, President of WBCSA, highlighted the sector’s critical role in supporting West Bengal’s agricultural community over six decades.
“This season, West Bengal is projected to produce nearly 140 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes. In 2025, while the government offered an MSP of ₹900 per quintal, market prices averaged around ₹600 per quintal, resulting in estimated losses of over ₹2,200 crore on stored stock of 72 lakh MT. Without urgent policy support for inter-state marketing and price stabilization, both farmers and cold storage operators face severe financial stress,” he said.
Sri Subhajit Saha, Vice President of WBCSA, emphasized rising operational costs due to higher power tariffs, labour and maintenance expenses, and compliance requirements. He added, “A rational revision of rental charges and extension of license validity to five years will significantly improve ease of doing business while ensuring uninterrupted support to farmers.”
The Association proposed several key measures to mitigate losses and improve sector efficiency:
- Transport subsidies for inter-state movement of potatoes
- Buyer–seller meets with neighboring states
- Inclusion of potatoes in mid-day meals and the Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Promotion of export-oriented cultivation and overseas market access
- Revision of cold storage rental charges in line with rising input costs
- Simplification of legal procedures for disposal of undelivered stock
- Updating regulatory frameworks and extending license validity to five years
The WBCSA reiterated its commitment to collaboration with government authorities, expressing confidence that constructive dialogue will result in sustainable solutions for farmers, traders, and cold storage operators, securing the long-term growth of the sector.
