Hassan farmers at cross roads

Availing potato seeds is a problem; experts suggest to grow maize

Growing potato has become like gambling for farmers in the district for the past three years as they have suffered only loss.

Traditional potato growers who tried growing ginger and turmeric also suffered loss. So they are at crossroads. Now, they are expected to return to potato cultivation.

If untimely rains and flood accompanied with late blight disease were the main problems facing the farmers over the past three years, this year seeds itself has become a big issue. The quantity of potato seeds used per hectare of land is enormous compared to other crops. 

While 250 gm of tomato seeds are sufficient for one hectare of land, potato needs 1,250 kg of seeds for the same area of land. For every one kg seeds the farmers should cultivate ten kg potato. But, farmers contend that none of them in the region have harvested more than eight kg in the recent past.

This year, traders from Jalandhar in Punjab are quoting Rs 1,680 for one kg of seeds. If the cost of fertilisers, pesticides and labour are added, the expenditure becomes a burden on farmers. However, farmers are getting ready for a big gamble, inevitably.

The district administration has tried to talk to traders to reduce the price of potato seeds. But it has not helped the farmers. The traders claim that their stocks are not at all seeds, but only table potatoes. The procedure to produce seeds is scientifically laid out and it has to be certified by qualified scientists. The seeds are not certified, so the traders’ claims are justified.

But, considering the uncertified potatoes itself as seeds, the district administration has urged the traders not to sell them above Rs 1,000 per kg. Even farmers are not willing to shell out more than Rs 1,100 per kg.

Pundits foresee great demand for potatoes as the yield has reduced. They feel if Hassan farmers also shy away from growing potatoes, the demand would double and the price would reach Rs 20 per kg. However, horticulture department officials say the loss to farmers this year would exceed the loss over the past three years. They recommend maize as an alternative crop.

Deputy director for horticulture Shakeel Ahmed said traders have been urged to reduce their margin this year and plan to make profits in coming years.