Potato production in India to be at 47 MT this year

The Dollar Business Bureau

India’s potato output is projected to be around 47 million tonnes in the current year, just a level below of all-time high recorded in 2014.

The potato production was 43.4 million tonnes in the crop year 2015-16 (July-June), whereas the previous record was 48 million tonnes witnessed in 2014-15.

“Looking at the crop condition and arrival in mandis, I feel the overall output will be close to record levels. Potato output would be around 47 million tonnes this year,” A K Singh, Managing Director, National Horticulture Board (NHB) told PTI.

At first, NHB had estimated the production at 43.88 million tonnes this year. However, this will be reviewed after evaluating the arrival, Singh said.

He further said that overall area under the cultivation of potato was almost at the level of last year. But, favourable weather conditions along with unseasonal rains recently just prior to harvesting gave a boost to crops prospect and better yields.

The crop condition in the three major potato producing states – Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh - is very good.

According to the state data, the production in Uttar Pradesh – the top potato producer - is estimated to be 15 million tonnes higher this year compared to 13.8 million tonnes in the previous, Singh said.

In Uttar Pradesh, production of potato has increased to such an extent that the central government has started to procure the stocks from farmers to avoid distressed sale.

The production in Bihar and West Bengal is also projected to improve from last year. In crop year 2015-16, the production was 6 million tonnes and 8 million tonnes, respectively, in the two states.

During the year 2015-16, the area under potato cultivation was 21.34 lakh ha.