Strange as it may sound but the fact remains that successive governments have failed to protect the interests of the poor farmers who are left to play into the hands of middlemen. While potato is still being sold in the retail markets in the range of Rs.25 per kg and in the wholesale market at around Rs.16 per kg, the farmers are being offered not beyond Rs.1-2 per kg by the middlemen. The mighty middlemen seem to be hand in glove with the state machinery.
As per an estimate almost one forth of the potato crop goes waste in the country every year. The grower of any crop will unfortunately remain at a losing end until the government makes sincere efforts of breaking the middle men’s rule.
This time around another jolt was faced with cancellation of export orders of lacs of tonnes by many a countries.
One also wonders the vast price variation between the raw and processed potato. Despite the lucrative business No sincere efforts have been made by the Central or state governments to promote food processing industries despite there being a independent Ministry of Food Processing at the Centre.
For getting remunerative prices for their winter potato crop the farmers this year had stored it in cold stores but now they are not able to pay the rentals of the cold stores even and what to talk of cost of sowing, harvesting, transportation and packing.
Potato is the fourth most important vegetable crop and is a wholesome food. The pattern of Indian potato industry suggests that the demand for potatoes for processing purpose is expected to rise rapidly over next 40 years for French fries (11.6%) followed by potato flakes/ powder (7.6%) and potato chips (4.5%). The demand for processing quality potato is expected to rise to 25 million during the year 2050.
Potatoes can be processed into various forms such as chips, fries, dehydrated products (dehydrated chips, dice or cubes, waris, papads, flakes, granules and flour) potato starch, etc. Potato processing is carried out by organized and unorganized sectors. Organized sector mainly involves large manufactures with brand names. Whereas, small manufactures that are preparing processed potato products for local market without any brand name come under unorganized sector.
Potato production in India has shown a steady increase in the last 50 years. Increase in production often resulting in gluts at harvest, has led to several post-harvest problems and the major one is that of storage. A total of 90 per cent of potato crop of the country is harvested during January-February from the Indo-Gangetic plains, comprising the states of Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, MP and Gujarat where the harvest is followed by rising temperatures of hot and dry summer and further by warm and humid rainy season. Since potato tubers contain about 80% water, under these conditions potato, a semi-perishable commodity can not be stored without refrigeration for more than 3-4 months.
Unless sincere efforts are made by the government to protect the interests of the farming community and promoting food processing industries, the scenario is likely to continue.
