A bumper crop of potato is expected this season and to protect the growers from losses, timely decisions are crucial for the export of the crop.
Following the good crop, local price of potato has dropped as it went down to Rs6 to Rs7 per kg at retail levels and in wholesale Rs5 to Rs6 per kg. The sudden dip in potato prices has caused alarm among potato growers who are now planning to plough potato fields.
Last year, total area under potato crop was 117,000 hectares and total production was 1.567 million tonnes which is likely to grow by 10 per cent this year as area under cultivation has increased by around five per cent.
In Pakistan, per hectare yield of potato crop is 13.4 tonnes. Last year, the Punjab government had announced 25 per cent freight rebate for potato growers and surplus crop was exported which saved the farmers from heavy losses.
As a result of a timely-announced policy, this time again area cultivated with potato has increased but no export policy has been announced by the government, leading to a sharp decline in local prices of potato.
Following the good crop, local price of potato has dropped as it went down to Rs6 to Rs7 per kg at retail levels and in wholesale Rs5 to Rs6 per kg. The sudden dip in potato prices has caused alarm among potato growers who are now planning to plough potato fields.
Last year, total area under potato crop was 117,000 hectares and total production was 1.567 million tonnes which is likely to grow by 10 per cent this year as area under cultivation has increased by around five per cent.
In Pakistan, per hectare yield of potato crop is 13.4 tonnes. Last year, the Punjab government had announced 25 per cent freight rebate for potato growers and surplus crop was exported which saved the farmers from heavy losses.
As a result of a timely-announced policy, this time again area cultivated with potato has increased but no export policy has been announced by the government, leading to a sharp decline in local prices of potato.
