Doaba Region’s Successful Potato Season
Farmers in the Doaba region are reaping the rewards of a profitable potato season, with the demand for early varieties of potatoes, like Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Uday, driving prices upward. Potato crops in this region have been largely unaffected by weather disturbances so far, resulting in a strong market for the 2024 harvest.
Prices have been particularly favorable this season. Early varieties like Kufri Pukhraj have seen prices ranging from Rs 900 to Rs 1,200 per 50 kg sack, offering farmers a promising return. The growth of other varieties, including the Kufri 302, which is currently sown in the fields, has also been good, ensuring a steady supply for the market.
Jang Bahadur S Sangha, recognized as the “potato king” of the region, attributes much of the success to the favorable weather. “We have been very fortunate as the weather has been very favorable. It remained sunny and there has been no frost. Varieties like Kufri Uday have been fetching Rs 850 to Rs 1,050 for 50 kg, which is a good price,” he noted. Similarly, Harjaap S Sangha, another prominent farmer, shared that the harvest from the previous season was sold at a good price of Rs 900 per 50 kg sack, making this one of the more lucrative seasons for the region’s farmers.
However, despite the positive outlook, farmers remain cautious about the coming weather. “There have been reports of some parts of the potato belt in Jalandhar getting hail today,” said Harjaap S Sangha. “Hail is not good for potatoes. Even a longer spell of rain can cause waterlogging and rot the tubers.” The concern for farmers is that excessive rainfall or prolonged fog could stunt the growth of the standing crop, potentially leading to reduced yields and increased susceptibility to diseases like blight.
The region has also seen a marginal increase in land dedicated to potato farming this year. According to Paramjit Singh, the Horticulture Development Officer, the area under potato cultivation has increased from 1.14 lakh hectares last year to 1.17 lakh hectares this season. Despite this increase, farmers remain optimistic, with many expecting prices to stabilize around Rs 750 per 50 kg sack during the peak harvesting period.
The 2024 potato season in Doaba has been profitable so far, driven by favorable weather conditions and strong market demand for various potato varieties. However, the potential impact of weather disturbances, such as rain, fog, and hail, remains a concern for farmers. While the overall outlook is positive, the coming months will determine whether these favorable conditions can continue.
