India’s potato output is estimated to rise 15.38 per cent in 2008 owing to the favourable climatic conditions. The total output of the so far evergreen vegetable is likely to rise over 30 million tonnes in 2008 compared to over 26 million tonnes in 2007.
Uttar Pradesh continues to remain the largest producer of potatoes with 9.821 million tonnes Produced in 2004 - 05 from an area of 0.440 million ha. The state is set to produce over 11.800 million tonnes in 2008 in an acreage area of 0.545 million ha with an average yield of 21.67 kgs. The other major producers are West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, MP, Gujarat and Assam.
With the phenomenal increase in potato production in the last 10 years, recurring gluts have become common in the country. Prices crash dramatically during the harvesting months leading to panic sales by farmers, and in turn leading to heavy monetary losses. Sometimes, farmers are unable to even cover their cost of production.
