Potato output to take a hit this season over bad weather, lack of interest among farmers

KOLKATA: Potato production is likely to fall in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab in the current season due to lack of interest among farmers to sow the crop as well as unfavourable weather conditions. Store gate prices have already firmed up for the old stock of the crop and the new season crop that will be available from January end is expected to be even costlier.

A glut in production last year had pushed down potato prices below the cost of production, leading to a spurt in suicides by farmers. "Prices were not remunerative last year for farmers.

Generally, sowing of potato crop starts in West Bengal in first week of October. But this year there is very little interest among farmers to sow the crop, which is a common vegetable on Indian platter. And the weather is not favourable either," said Patit Paban De, a leading potato trader and member of West Bengal Cold Storage Association. In 2014-15, West Bengal has produced nearly 11 million tonnes of potato. Local consumption is not more than 5.5 million tonnes.