Farmers seek hike in secured price of potato

As potato sowing has started, farmers -- citing a gradual increase in production costs -- have begun raising a demand for a hike in the secured price of the potato crop under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana (BBY).

The secured price of potato under the yojana is Rs 600 a quintal. Under it, the government compensates the farmers in case the produce is sold below the secured price declared by the government. It gives the difference between the secured price and the average price of sale.

Rakesh Bains, a potato grower in Shahabad of Kurukshetra, said, “The cost of production hovers around Rs 700 a quintal and it has been increasing gradually every year. But the secured price under the scheme is Rs 600 a quintal. We have started potato sowing for the season. Considering the rising cost of production, the government should increase the secured price of potato under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana to at least Rs 900 a quintal. We also demand that the government should ensure an adequate stock of DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertiliser, the basic nutrient for crops.”

The farmers said that because of the uncertainty in market prices and during heavy flow of arrivals, the produce fails to fetch good prices. Due to poor prices and additional charges, including transportation, they fail to get back the cost of production and pin hopes on the BBY to recover the loss to some extent.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Horticulture Dr Satyender Yadav said, “This is the optimum time and the farmers have already started potato sowing. The potato crop is covered under the BBY by the state government and currently, the secured price is Rs 600 a quintal. However, the secured price of various fruits and vegetable crops, including potato, is under revision. The technical team has submitted its input and the matter is at the government level. The secured prices are expected to increase under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.”