One of the most consumed vegetables, potato, will soon make inroads to Jharkhand not from West Bengal but from the north-west neighbor Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh’ marketing institution Horticulture Cooperative Marketing Federation (HOFED) held a buyer-seller meet in Ranchi on Thursday to promote its surplus potatoes to buyers of Jharkhand on lower prices.
Speaking on the occasion Deputy Director Horticulture Uttar Pradesh said, “It is well known that UP is largest producer of potato in the country. It produces 35 per cent of total production of potato in the country. Total production of the State is 150 lakh metric tonnes and after total consumption by itself, the State has to sell 40 to 45 lakh metric tones of potatoes every year on lower prices. Farmers of the State are even not getting prices equal to production cost.”
“With a view to provide proper price to the farmers the Horticulture Department of the Uttar Pradesh has held the buyer-seller meeting in the State capital as Jharkhand is not producing potatoes equal to its requirement. It has to import potatoes from outside of the State. Jharkhand brings potatoes from West Bengal and many times the import is halted by the West Bengal. Now UP is biggest exporter of potato. It is clear that Jharkhand is neighbouring State of UP and there will be no transporting problem,” Yadav added.
Director, the State Vegetable Marketing Federation, Jharkhand, Surendra Singh said, “Jharkhand is one of the largest producer of green vegetables and it is not producing potato as much as its requirement. At present, the proposal of the HOFED is very good as the State is totally dependent on import of potato. I would inform about the Secretary of the department and seek her advice on the issue.”
While talking to potato farmers of UP, Onion Potato Wholesaler Union, Pandra, president Madan Prasad said, “It is big opportunity for the traders of the State as UP is biggest exporter of potato and Jharkhand is importer. I am assuring all the visiting farmers that there will be no problem in trade and it will increase trade between both the States.”
Speaking on the occasion National Cooperative Development Corporation, Regional Director, Shreedharan KN said, “It is good initiative and it will increase between both the states as one is potato producer and another is green vegetable. Both the states should simultaneously increase their trade in their respective field.”