India: Potato production is likely to fall in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

Store gate prices have already firmed up for the old stock of the crop and the new season crop that will be available from January end is expected to be costlier. A glut in production last year had pushed down potato prices below the cost of production, leading to a spurt in suicides by farmers. 

"Prices were not remunerative last year for farmers. Generally , sowing of potato crop starts in West Bengal in first week of October. But this year, there is very little interest among farmers to sow the crop, which is a common vegetable on the Indian platter. And the weather is not favourable either," said Patit Paban De, a leading potato trader and member of West Bengal Cold Storage Association. In 2014-15, West Bengal has produced nearly 11 million tonnes of potato. Local consumption is not.Farmers of UP , the largest grower of the crop, are also playing cautious. "Last year, farmers had suffered a lot as prices went down. The weat her in Uttar Pradesh is not yet favo urable for the crop. Late sowing is expected this year," said Rajesh Go yal, secretary , Federation of Cold Storage Association of India.