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 >12 per cent share in the world potato production after China, which has a share of 22 per cent.

            For 2015, India’s overall production is likely to stand at 42 million tonnes (mt), according to initial estimates by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF). India produced 46.39 million tonnes of potato over an area of 2.024 million hectares in 2013-14. Uttar Pradesh with 32 per cent, West Bengal (26 per cent) and Bihar (14 per cent) accounted for more than 70 per cent of total production. 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 with little export mainly to neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

            The major potato growing districts in Karnataka are Hassan (more than 41%), Chikkaballapura, Chikmagalur, 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 for domestic as well as export markets.

           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 Chikkaballapura market during the last ten years and Statistical analysis was carried out to predict the prices of potato for the harvesting months to guide potato farmers. 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.1400-1500 per quintal during February to April 2015. This forecast prevails for current market sentiments, storage pattern & any change in EXIM policy could alter the prices. The Potato arrivals during current season are above average and the prices are unlikely to increase as the global production from China, Pakistan and European countries are on the uptrend.

RESEARCH TEAM

Dr. M. S. Jayaram, Dr. C. P. Gracy, Dr. M. R. Girish

Mangala V Reddy, Sakamma S

Department of Agricultural Marketing, Co-operation and Business Management

    UAS, GKVK, Bangalore-65

Email: uasb.mic@gmail.com