Low prices may cut Rabi (winter) potato acreage by 15 to 20 per cent

Potato acreage in India is likely to drop by 15-20% in the new (winter) season. Farmers suffered last year due to a decline in prices following a higher production. According to an initial estimate, the losses could run into few thousand crores with Bengal farmers suffering the most.

In this backdrop, a further expansion in area could weaken the prices even as sowing has started across Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Bihar and Punjab. But the industry expects a growth of 25% in processing varieties such as Chipsona, Atlantic and Lady Rosetta.

"Favourable weather during the growing season in major potato producing states during 2010-11 resulted in about 13% increase in production, from nearly 36 million tonne in 2009-10 to more than 40 million tonne in 2010-11.