After hitting high levels earlier this season, potato prices have started softening, trading at Rs 600 to 1,100 a quintal. This drop has left farmers disappointed, despite prices being better than last year when they hovered between Rs 250 and Rs 550 a quintal.
Current prices: Rs 600-1,100 a quintal
Earlier highs: Rs 1,300-2,000 a quintal earlier this season
Last year’s prices: Rs 250-550 a quintal
Gaurav Sharma, a potato farmer from Babaheri village who cultivated potatoes on 30 acres, expressed concern over the price decline. “Earlier this season, I sold my crop for around Rs 1,980 a quintal, but yesterday the prices dropped to Rs 700-1,000 a quintal. I still have a large quantity to harvest and prices are falling. Although better than last year, the high production costs due to increased prices of seeds, DAP and lower yields mean farmers are unlikely to make significant profits. The government should raise the secure price under the Bhavantar Bharpai scheme to at least Rs 1,000 a quintal from Rs 600 to protect us in case of a price crash,” he said.
Under the Bhavantar Bharpai scheme, the government compensates farmers when the sale price falls below the secured price, covering the difference between the two.
Rajiv Kumar, another farmer, said, “I sold my produce at Shahabad grain market today for Rs 850 a quintal, whereas last week it fetched Rs 1,100 a quintal. With heavy arrivals expected in the coming days, prices are likely to drop further.”
Potato trader Dharmpal explained the market situation, saying, “Prices have decreased recently, but a major crash is unlikely this year. The recently arrived produce was affected by rain and farmers are getting prices based on quality. Most of the stocks are being sent to other states.”
Gurmeet Singh, secretary of Pipli grain market, noted the overall improvement in prices compared to last year. “Despite the drop, farmers are getting better rates this year, with prices ranging from Rs 600 to 1,100 a quintal and the moderate price being Rs 810 a quintal. So far, 4.75 lakh quintals of produce have arrived. Last year, 13.95 lakh quintals arrived at Pipli, but with new markets opening up for potatoes, arrivals may remain around 8 lakh quintals this year,” he said.
