Potato output may drop on rains, blight

The potato crop in Karnataka is expected to be halved this season as a result of heavy rains and reports of blight attack.

A local trader said potato fields were submerged under water due to heavy rains in the last four days. He added that approximately 20 per cent of the crop was damaged because of heavy rains even as another 40 per cent would perish because of a fear of blight attack.

"Although, farmers have started spraying insecticides, the crop that has already been stricken by the disease cannot be controlled. If the rains continue, the damage could be more," he added.

However, an official at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) rejected the fears of blight attack and added that it was quite difficult to assess the situation at present. He added that the picture would become clear with the start of the harvest.

The state expects a total production of 1.3 million tonnes. The Hassan variety, the premium quality preferred by chips makers, is estimated to meet around 5 per cent of India's total demand of 27.26 million tonnes. The Hassan crop also gains significance as it is harvested in September, when the Agra and Tarkeshwar varieties get rotten during the monsoon.

The country is likely to produces about 26.10 million tonnes, with a shortfall likely to be slightly above 1 million tonnes. Meanwhile, potato chips makers across the country are scrambling to book orders for the Hassan variety, fearing a deficit in the crop this year.

Traders in the local Mumbai market feel that prices would rise in a couple of days if the news of blight attack is true. Potato, currently quoted between Rs 85 and Rs 95 per 10 kg in APMC, Vashi, surged to Rs 105 per 10 kg two days ago in the wake of short supply because of heavy rains in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.The retail price is about Rs 14 a kg in and around Mumbai.

Traders believe that prices will go up to Rs 1,200 a quintal in September once the Hassan variety hits the markets in September.