Colder January hits Uttar Pradesh potato crop

Potato production in Uttar Pradesh, the leading potato growing state in India, has been hit by an erratic winter this year.

“At least 20 per cent of the potato crop has been damaged in the state due to erratic winter,” Mukhtiyar Singh, President , Potato Farmers Struggle Committee, told PTI from Agra, the main producing belt of the state.

The state government admits there has been a loss of crop due to unexpected dip in temperature toward the end of January and rising mercury early in February. However, it puts the loss to minimum (of not more than 5 per cent).

Deputy Director (Potato) A K Gupta claimed there was no cause for worry. “Something minor happens here and there...there is no cause for worry...the state will improve its production level this year as compared to last year,” Mr Gupta said.

According to Mr Gupta, Uttar Pradesh had produced 134.47 lakh tonnes of potatoes last year and the target for this year is 151 lakh tonnes. The Areas under potato cultivation has also increased by nearly 19 per cent in the state this year.