Potato Prices to Hover around Rs.2000-2500 per quintal at Harvest Time in Hassan market

            Potato is the third most important food crop in the world which is consumed by more than a billion people. The demand for potato is much higher worldwide and will increase in the future especially from developing nations. Food and Agriculture Organization of UN has declared potato as 'Food for future'. India is the second largest producer and has one of the largest consumers of potato with more than 10 per cent share in the world potato production after China, which was share of 22 per cent.

            India produced 447 lakh tonnes of potato from an area of 19.65 lakh hectares in 2012-13. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat accounted for 85 per cent share in total area and production in 2012-13. The area and production of potato were 47.5 thousand hectares and 504.1thousand tonnes, respectively in Karnataka during 2012-13. Most of the potato produced in the country is consumed within the country witha little export mainly to neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

            The top five producers in the world are China (74.8 mMT), India (41.565 mMT), Russia (21.1 mMT), Ukraine (18.7 mMT) and US (18.3 mMT). India has exported about 11.14 lakh tonnes of potato in 2012-2013, which is 13 per cent more than that of 2011-12. The major potato growing districts in Karnataka are Hassan (more than 41%), Chikkaballapura, Chikmagalore, Belgaum, Dharwad, Bangalore Rural and Kolar.

            Potato is sown in India in Kharif and Rabi seasons. Kharif produce is available in the market from August to October, which accounts for 15 to 20%. From mid-December to mid-April Rabi produce is available in the market which accounts for 80 to 85%. Only, the rabi potato is stored till November and is made available steadily for domestic as well as export markets.

So, for the benefit of farmers, the NCAP Network project on Market Intelligence functioning in the Department of Agricultural Marketing, Co-operation and Business Management, UAS Bangalore collected the modal prices of potato that prevailed in Hassan market during the last twelve years and Statistical analysis was carried out to predict the prices of potato for the harvesting months. Also an opinion survey of potato traders was conducted. Based on the analysis and Market survey, it is forecasted that potato would fetch a modal price of around Rs.2000-2500 per quintal (as per the traders survey) during July to September 2014. This forecast prevails for current market sentiments & monsoon and could vary with changes in the market situation and rainfall. Farmers are advised to take up disease free, quality tubers potato for sowing, further farmers have to take up necessary plant protection against potato blight disease as Hassan in porn for this disease. Farmers need to know the probable prices at the time of crop harvest. This coincides with the november-december months. This is a harvest season forecast hence five months forecast is provided for kharif 2014.

RESEARCH TEAM

Dr.C.P.Gracy, Mangala V Reddy, Nagashree N, Sakamma S

Department of Agricultural Marketing, Co-operation and Business Management

    UAS, GKVK, Bangalore-65