West Bengal Extends Potato Transport Subsidy to Roadways to Support Farmers and Stabilise Market Prices
Kolkata, November 15, 2026: In a significant move to support potato farmers and stabilise market prices, the Government of West Bengal has extended its Transport Subsidy Scheme, 2026 (TSS 2026), to cover the interstate transportation of potatoes by road.
The decision aims to facilitate the movement of surplus potatoes to neighbouring states, ease pressure on domestic markets and help growers secure better prices for their produce.
Under the extended scheme, eligible potato transportation by road will receive a subsidy of ₹50 per quintal or the actual road freight cost, whichever is lower. The facility will cover interstate movement to neighbouring states, including Assam, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
The road transport subsidy will remain effective for 30 days, from November 12 to December 11, 2026. The government may extend the period depending on market conditions and requirements.
To ensure transparent and technology-enabled implementation, a dedicated online module is being introduced on the CSMS web portal for processing and disbursing the subsidy.
Government Steps Up Support Following Record Potato Production
West Bengal recorded a substantial potato harvest of more than 140 lakh metric tonnes during 2025–26. Against the backdrop of increased production and softening market prices, the state government has undertaken procurement measures to protect farmers from distress sales.
Under the Potato Procurement Scheme (PPS) 2026, the government directly procured 4,75,662.32 quintals of potatoes at ₹950 per quintal through 49 cold storage facilities across the state.
Road Transport Support Follows Railway Subsidy Initiative
The latest decision builds on the earlier introduction of TSS 2026 on September 15, 2026, when the government announced a subsidy of ₹100 per quintal for the interstate transportation of potatoes through railway rakes.
That initiative was intended to facilitate the movement of potatoes beyond West Bengal and help farmers manage cold storage rental expenses.
By extending the subsidy to road transportation, the government is seeking to provide an additional logistics channel for moving potatoes to consuming markets outside the state. The move is expected to improve market access, encourage interstate trade and reduce the pressure of excess supply in local markets.
The extension of transport assistance, alongside direct procurement, represents the state’s effort to balance market supply, support agricultural producers and protect the interests of potato-growing communities.
