According to reports, potatoes are grown on more than five million hectares of land in West Bengal and about 10 million families are involved in the production. | Photo credit: The Hindu
Ahead of parliamentary polls in the state, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal unit president Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday (March 26, 2026) highlighted the agrarian distress, saying at least five farmers had died by suicide in West Bengal.
At a press conference at the State BJP President’s office, Mr. Bhattacharya read out the names of potato and mango farmers who died by suicide between February and March 2026.
“These are not isolated incidents; farmers across the state are committing suicide. Potato farmers are not getting the right price for their produce. This is because of the wrong policy of the Trinamool Congress government, which is trying to control the market by not allowing potatoes to go to other states,” Mr. Bhattacharya said.
The state has registered a record potato crop this season, but the price of tubers has plummeted. According to reports, potatoes are grown on more than five million hectares of land in West Bengal and about 10 million families are involved in the production. Last year’s potato production was about 110 million tons, this year it is expected to exceed 130 million tons.
Three potato farmers reportedly committed suicide in the first two weeks of March from Hooghly, Paschim Bardhaman and Paschim Medinipur districts. Prices fell by ₹200 to ₹250 per quintal (100 kg) in some areas. In the last few weeks, farmers have resorted to emergency sales of potatoes.
The BJP leader said that the plight of potato farmers was increased by the West Bengal government’s policy of stopping the migration of potatoes to other states. The West Bengal government recently issued a directive requiring cold storage owners to buy potatoes directly from farmers, but many cold storage owners say it is difficult to implement. In the past, the Trinamool Congress government has stopped the supply of potatoes to other states when prices in the local market have gone up, disrupting the supply chain.
The BJP is trying to intensify the agrarian distress ahead of the assembly polls in the state, saying that people will react to the flawed policies of the Trinamool Congress in the upcoming elections.
The Trinamool Congress, which came to power in 2011 on a wave of protests against forcible land acquisition, has always denied reports of any agrarian distress or farmer suicides. West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.
This article contains references to suicide and mental health issues. Those in distress may contact Sanjivini, Mental Health Society’s Suicide Prevention Line: 011-40769002.
Published – 27 March 2026 03:42 IST
