Input costs, falling price make potato growing unviable in UP

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New Delhi, Aug 20: Huge production, increase in inputs and storage cost has resulted in crushing of potato prices in the country. The whole sale prices of potato in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country is as low as Rs 2 to Rs 3 per kg from Rs 5 per kg prevailing last year while retail prices in Delhi is in the range of Rs 6 to Rs 8 per kg.

Farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the largest producer of potato in the country is unhappy with the fact that the cold storage owners have hiked their price more than 20%. At present, the cold storage owners of Agra, Hathras, Kanpur and Meerut have hiked the rate from Rs 90 to Rs 95 per quintal prevailing last year to Rs 110 per quintal at present.

Besides, the significant rise in inputs like fertiliser, diesel and labour are pushing the input costs for potatoes. The fertiliser prices have gone up to Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 from around Rs 700 per quintal prevailing last year. With the country's potato production rising to a record 25 million tonne, only about 30% of the produce has hit the market. “Close to 70% of the produce is still at the cold storage and it will take about two to three months for the prices to appreciate and stabilise,” Yadurvir Singh, a potato grower from Agra told FE.