News on Potato Cultivation from Asia

Tajikistan has achieved record potato production figures for the first 10 months of 2024 – 1 million 139 thousand 936 tons, which is 20.6% more than in the previous year.

The International Potato Center (CIP) is driving an initiative to enhance potato production capacity by training scientists from Nepal and Bhutan in innovative seed production and quality assurance technologies.

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced a remarkable 47% increase in potato production in 2023, achieving a self-sufficiency rate of 86% with over 621,750 tons of potatoes produced compared to 423,770 tons in 2021.

Potato harvest has begun in Aksaray, one of Turkey's top 10 provinces for potato production, where 80 percent of the population earns a living from agriculture and animal husbandry. Aksaray ranks first in many areas of animal husbandry in the country.

The ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute organised a front-line demonstration programme showcasing improved potato varieties to empower local farmers and promote sustainable agricultural production.

Siddhi Vinayak Agri Processing Pvt. Ltd. has organized a large-scale training campaign for farmers across the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh.

With domestic production down by 1.2 million tons, potato imports have become crucial as political unrest, a government change, and severe flooding further strain the situation.

The potato shortage in Odisha (India) has eased somewhat after the West Bengal government allowed the supply of potato to other states for a week. Experts suggest increasing local production by using HTPS seeds and improving storage facilities.

West Bengal's decision to halt potato supply to other states, particularly BJP-ruled ones, has triggered a political showdown, leading to shortages and price hikes in affected regions.

Despite challenges, the potato Industry in Nepal is undergoing significant developments. Among them: the opening of the first large scale French fry production facility in the country.

Siddhi Vinayak Agri Processing Pvt Ltd (SV Agri) recently spearheaded a pivotal stakeholder consultation workshop on May 15 and 16, 2024.

While the potato production was less this year, the heatwave made transportation a nightmare, with the supply rotting during the transit.

In a first of its kind initiative by any food processor on the Indian subcontinent, the biggest potato processor from the country, Iscon Balaji Foods, has organised a month-long exhaustive farmers’ training programme to share the best agricultural practices for sustainability in the value chain.

Potato prices in India have increased nearly 50% in a month from March to April.

High input cost and unfavorable weather hit potato output in Bangladesh, with late blight causing added damage.

A groundbreaking wind-operated aerial insect trap designed to revolutionize pest management in agriculture has been developed by a team of scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) in Shimla.

One of them is in the middle of his career. The other is already retired. Both are embarking on a new adventure. In a country that is a feast for the eyes, but where they are even more impressed by the openness of the people.

From March 12 to 15, 2024, Shandong Star Company participated in the AgriTek/FarmTek exhibition in Astana, Kazakhstan, together with Kazakhstani dealers.