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Potato production across the major growing States of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal is likely to be higher this year on the back of an increase in the area under cultivation and a better yield.
Arvind Agarwal, President of UP Cold Storage Association, has stated that while there has been a clear increase in the acreage under the tuber this year, it is difficult to estimate the rise in production right now as harvesting is yet to gather pace in many of the growing regions.
“A clear picture (on the production) will emerge only by end of January. But, as of now, we can surely say that the yield looks better and there has also been a rise in the area under production,” Agarwal told BusinessLine.
Both UP and West Bengal had witnessed a drop in potato production primarily due to delayed sowing and unfavourable weather conditions during harvesting. West Bengal, which produces 11-11.5 mln tons of the tuber each year, produced around 9 mln tons last year. This is even lower than 2019’s 9.2 mln tons.
The lower production and the steady demand for the tuber had pushed up prices, which remained firm almost throughout the year.
Photo source: Dreamstime.com
