Bokaro: Amid row over ban on the transport of potatoes from Bengal to other states, Bokaro has started taking steps to become self-sufficient in this sector.
Deputy commissioner Jadhav Vijaya Narayan Rao spearheaded an initiative aimed at increasing potato production in the district. The approach inspired measures to enhance agricultural practices, ensuring that Bokaro can eventually meet its potato demand independently. This effort aligns with the district administration’s vision of making Bokaro self-reliant in agricultural production over the next few years.
Central to this initiative are the women’s self-help groups under the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), specifically the Palash group. These women are receiving comprehensive support from the administration to cultivate potatoes on a larger scale.
“To further boost production, the district agriculture officer has been directed to collaborate with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). Farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are being encouraged to prioritise potato cultivation after the paddy harvest. Additionally, a robust strategy has been outlined to ensure optimal practices in potato farming,” said DC.
In the financial year 2023-24, the 7,626 women farmers cultivated potatoes on 152.68 acres, yielding an impressive 1,145.10 tonnes of produce. Building on this success, the financial year 2024-25 witnessed exponential growth. Over 27,410 women farmers planted potatoes across 1,646.5 acres, producing a remarkable 6,120.35 tonnes of potatoes. “Now the effort is to increase the potato production to become self-reliant,” said DC.
Bokaro gets its potato supply mainly from West Bengal and then Uttar Pradesh. A local potato trader, Anil Saw, said, “There is a heavy consumption of potatoes in the district. Following the Bengal blockade, the potatoes started coming from Uttar Pradesh while local farmers started bringing potatoes but on a small scale. The district’s potato consumption can be roughly measured by the number of trucks unloaded in the market here. Every day, three to four trucks of potatoes are unloaded in Bokaro, each containing 800 and above sacks of 50 kilograms.”
Meanwhile, DC said, “Farmers are urged to adopt high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties like Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Pukhraj. Soil quality is improved through testing, balanced fertilisers, and organic manure. Efficient irrigation methods, such as drip and sprinkler systems, ensure proper moisture during growth. Crop rotation with pulses like moong enhances soil nutrients, while pest control emphasises seed treatment and biological solutions like neem oil. Mechanised farming, timely earthing up, and proper sowing depth boost productivity. Training programs and collective farming empower farmers with modern techniques. Storage facilities, value-added processing, and digital marketing ensure better returns and reduced spoilage for sustainable potato farming.”
Efforts are also being made to establish proper storage facilities to prevent spoilage. Farmers are also being trained in value addition, such as processing potatoes into chips and French fries, and are encouraged to use digital platforms and local markets for direct consumer sales.
