Karnataka potato farmers receive certified seed potatoes

In the Indian State of Karnataka, the Department of Horticulture has decided to provide certified seed potatoes to 1,000 farmers for pre-monsoon cultivation on a pilot basis. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting on Friday to discuss the preparations for potato cultivation in Hassan district. The meeting was chaired by Rajeev Chawla, Principal Secretary of Horticulture Department, on Friday.

Considering the loss suffered by farmers owing to poor quality of seeds sown in the last few years, the department had decided to procure adequate quantity of certified seeds from National Seeds Corporation of the Union government for distribution to at least 1,000 potato growers, Mr. Chawla said. He also spoke to Vinod Kumar Gaur, Chairman and Managing Director of the National Seeds Corporation over phone during the meeting and sought his cooperation in this regard.

He instructed officials of the department to conduct programmes to spread awareness on scientific cultivation of potato, which would ensure better yield for them.

Umesh H. Kusuga, Deputy Commissioner of Hassan, and senior officials of the Department of Horticulture of the government of Karnataka were present.

Ranked #8 among potato producing states in India, Karnataka produced 689 thousand tonnes of potatoes (2012/2013) or 1.56% of the total Indian production. Potato Yields in Karnataka are low, but the state produces off-season potatoes suitable for processing.

Hassan is the largest potato producing district in the State accounting for 20% production and 56% crop area in Karnataka.