Evaluating Sustainable Potato Cultivation and Storage Practices in West Bengal, India: A Multi-Criteria Approach

Abstract

Potato is an important non-grain staple crop in India, and West Bengal is one of the major potato-producing states. Despite its contribution to food supply and rural livelihoods, potato cultivation and storage in the state are affected by several production, marketing, institutional and post-harvest constraints. This study evaluates the major constraints associated with sustainable potato cultivation and storage practices in West Bengal using a multi-criteria decision-making approach. Fifteen constraints were identified through focus group discussions, stakeholder interviews and expert opinions. A field survey was conducted among 400 potato growers selected from four potato-growing districts: Hooghly, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Bardhaman and Bankura. The constraints were evaluated using four criteria: severity, occurrence, detection and environmental impact. The Entropy Weight Method was applied to determine the relative weights of the criteria, while the VIKOR method was used to rank the constraints. The results indicate that unstable and low market prices during peak harvest periods are the most critical constraint affecting potato farmers. Access to quality seed at reasonable cost, erratic rainfall and moisture stress, pest and disease management, labour shortages, poor transport facilities and cold-storage-related limitations are also important concerns. The study provides a structured framework for the prioritisation of constraints to improve potato cultivation, storage management and supply-chain sustainability in West Bengal.