Not just traditional wheat and rice crops, several farmers in Jagraon are engaged in potato farming. The fields on the outskirts of Jagraon are full of activity as the work for potato sowing was going in full swing.
Farmer Inderjeet Singh discussed how he entered agriculture after watching his elders doing this work. “I wanted to do something different from what was being practised earlier as it was not giving high profits. I tried my hands at potato farming after being trained at Punjab Agricultural University. Now, I am selling potatoes to companies engaged in making chips,” he said. Inderjeet now wants to open a processing plant for potato chips.
Another farmer said he got potato seeds from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. “High-quality seeds, PP-102, Kufri Pukhraj, and Kufri Jyoti, produced at the PAU Seed Farm, Ladhowal boost yield and profitability,” said Amreek Singh from Walipur Khurd village.
Hardev Singh, who harvested 150 quintals from one acre land, said potatoes can be stored for up to a year, which gives them flexibility with pricing and marketing. Farmers should choose the variety carefully and prepare the soil well and nobody can stop them from reaping profits, he said.
Potato farming has benefitted not only farmers but labourers as well. “I am from Lucknow and stayed back in Punjab from many years. Earlier, I used to come only during the paddy season but now the farmer with which I was engaged has started growing other cash crops as well. Now, he is also sowing potatoes, maize, peas and there is work all round the year. So, now I have made Punjab my home and very soon I’ll also bring my family here,” said Tota Ram, working in one of the potato fields at Mirpur village in Jagraon.
