PRODUCTION AND PROCUREMENT OF POTATOES

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The potato production in the country has increased from 16.38 million tones during 1991-92 to 24.08 million tonnes in 2001-02. The cost of production of potato is increasing with increase in cost of inputs, labour and with adoption of improved technologies of production. As per the estimates of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, cost of production of table potato has increased from Rs.105 per quintal during 2000-01 to Rs.150 per quintal during 2001-02.

In order to provide remunerative prices to farmers, the Centre, at the request of the States concerned, provides financial assistance through the Market Intervention Scheme. During 2002-03, the Market Intervention Scheme was implemented in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Under the scheme, potato was procured from farmers at the rate of Rs.190 per quintal in Uttar Pradesh and Rs.200 per quintal in West Bengal.

In order to create new outlets for utilizing the surplus potato production , the Government of Uttar Pradesh is providing assistance for transport of potato outside the State at a rate of Rs.250 per tonne.

The Centre is implementing the Capital Investments Subsidy scheme for construction, expansion and modernization of cold storages of horticulture produce. An additional storage capacity of 31.79 lakh tonnes in 716 cold storages has been created in the country through the scheme.