STEPS FOR POTATO GROWERS
RAJYA SABHA
The centre has taken
several steps to protect the interests of farmers in view of increased
production of potato in the country. The potato production in
the country increased from 4.81 million tones during 1970-71 to
24.08 million tones during 2001-02. In order to ensure payment
of remunerative prices to farmers, the centre, at the request
of State Governments, provides financial assistance through the
Market Intervention Scheme. During 2002-03, the Scheme was implemented
in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Under the Scheme, potato was
procured from farmers at Rs.190 per qtl. in Uttar Pradesh and
Rs.200 per qtl. in West Bengal. In order to create new outlets
for utilizing the surplus potato production, the Government of
Uttar Pradesh is providing an assistance of Rs. 250 per tonne
for transport of potato outside the State.
Through the Agriculture
and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, the
centre has also established four potato Agri-Export Zones in Uttar
Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh for promoting
export of potato from the country. The Uttar Pradesh Government
is also providing financial assistance of Rs.1000 per tonne for
facilitating the export of potato.
This information
was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Hukumdeo
Narayan Yadav in a written reply to a question by Shri Ekanath
K. Thakur in the Rajya Sabha today.
