Potato production in the same plot in Singur, which was acquired for Tata's Nano factory, has gone up by 15 percent this year when the land got back its original character after 10 long years.
It may be mentioned that the erstwhile Left Front government had acquired 997 acres of multi-crop land in Singur for Tata's small car project despite objection
being raised from a large section of farmers.
After 10 long years of political and legal battle, the farmers in Singur have got back their plots and with the help of Mamata Banerjee's government, farmers have once again initiated cultivating paddy, potatoes, pulses and other crops on the same plot.
State Agriculture Minister Purnendu Basu said the cultivation of potatoes in Singur has gone up by 15 percent compared to the last time.
The matter has been discussed in a high-level meeting headed by the Chief Minister in Nabanna, the state secretariat, on Friday. Problems that potato cultivators faced a few days ago due to over production of the staple food have also been discussed.
Basu said all necessary steps as directed by the Chief Minister are being taken so that farmers do not incur losses. The farmers have started getting better price compared to that of the same a few days ago.
While 70 percent of the total cultivation of potatoes has been stored in cold storages at present, work to store the rest 30 percent is on.
Basu confirmed that measures have been taken to make the state self-reliant in production of eggs and green chillies. Steps are also being taken to increase production of green chillies and sesame seeds. He added that Bengal would soon become self-reliant in onion production as well.
This year, Burdwan has produced onions that weigh around 450 gm each.