Once an importer of French fries, India has transitioned into an exporter, owing to the cultivation of specific potato varieties. These potatoes are now processed into snacks like French fries and wafers. Gujarat leads in this shift, with Punjab and Uttar Pradesh following. In 2004-05, India's processed potato production was less than 100,000 tons, yielded from a cultivation area of 4,000 hectares. Over two decades, production has increased to 1,150,000 tons across 37,000 hectares.
Gujarat spearheads the cultivation of processing-grade potatoes. In 2024-25, the state produced 4,859,000 tons of potatoes, with over 25% processed. Of these, about 60% are made into wafers and 40% into French fries. Sabarkantha, Aravalli, and Banaskantha districts are key contributors to meeting India's demand for French fries and wafers. During 2024-25, these districts cultivated potatoes on over 119,000 hectares, yielding 3,800,000 tons at an average productivity of 32.36 tons per hectare.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long emphasized value addition in agriculture, enabling farmers to increase their income. The uptick in processing-grade potato production aligns with farmer-centric policies in the state. Banaskantha ranks first in Gujarat for yield with 1,870,000 tons, followed by Sabarkantha and Aravalli producing 1,297,000 and 699,000 tons, respectively. Development of advanced cold storage has been instrumental in this shift. The northern belt of Gujarat, with its fertile soil, favorable climate, and advanced systems, is ideal for producing potatoes suited for chips and French fries.
Varieties such as Lady Rosetta, Kufri Chipsona, and Santana are notably cultivated for their high dry matter and low sugar content, making them ideal for fries. These potatoes are supplied to processors, quick-service restaurants, and are exported, particularly to the Middle East. The districts of Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli are well-equipped with advanced cold storage to support this supply chain.
Source: ETV Bharat
