Despite reports of crop failure and shrinking areas under cultivation in two of biggest potato producing states like West Bengal & Uttar Pradesh, the country?s potato production this year is expected to match last year?s bumper production of 25 million tonne.

According to SK Pandey, director, Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), ?There is no cause of panic as the production would match last year?s good yield.? Meanwhile, the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) has stated that area under potato cultivation and production during 2008-09 is expected to be more by about 5% compared to last year.

According to NHRDF, potato production in Uttar Pradesh is estimated around 13.5 million tonne compared to last year?s production of about 11.8 million tonne and Punjab is also expected to produce 1.4 million tonne compared to last year?s yield of about 9.50 lakh tonne.

NHRDF report also stated that the production in West Bengal, which produces close to 30% of the total potato production, the estimated yield would be lower by about 30% as potato crop in some areas has been affected by late blight.

Recently, a senior official from West Bengal had stated that potato production this year would be 2.2 million tonne less than normal. This comes after a record potato production of around 8 million tonne last year, an increase of nearly 60% over the previous year?s production of 5 million tonne in the state.

?Loss is West Bengal is partly compensated by increase in yield in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh,? Pandey of CPRI told FE.

Potato is one of the few vegetables whose prices have constantly fallen in the last several months in the country because of bumper harvest last year and ample stocks in warehouses. On Friday, the retail price of potato was in the range of Rs 600 – Rs 700 per quintal in Delhi market.

MCX May 15, 2009 futures potato (Agra) price was quoted at Rs 702 per quintal against April 15, 2009 price of Rs 687 per quintal. There is a possibility of increase in the potato price after 2-3 months, a potato farmer from Agra said. ?Once the last year?s excess stocks in cold storage get exhausted, the prices are going to appreciate after 2-3 months,? Yadurvir Singh, who had cultivated potato in 60 acre of land in Agra said.

Steady production

• Area under potato cultivation during ?08-09 is expected to be more by 5%

• Potato output in Uttar Pradesh is estimated around 13.5 million tonne

• Punjab to produce 1.4 million tonne