India: Farmers can reap good profits from potato cultivation: Niranjan Reddy

Hyderabad: Pitching for extensive cultivation of potato, Agriculture Minister S. Niranjan Reddy said farmers can reap good profits in the State.

The Minister had cultivated potato in his personal farm land at Wanaparthy district. On a experimental basis, the crop was cultivated in quarter acre and the Minister expressed satisfaction over the quality and quantity of the yield.

“There is constant demand for potatoes in the market and our lands and atmosphere are conducive for potato cultivation,” Agriculture Minister S. Niranjan Reddy said.

Due to constant demand in the market, the price for the vegetable is also stable all through the year. Farmers can get a yield of 100 to 120 quintals per acre. Accordingly, the price for a quintal ranges from Rs.1000 to Rs.1200 all through the year. At times, the price can escalate to Rs.2000 per quintal, he said.

After deducting the investment, farmers can manage to get profits to the tune of Rs.1 lakh per acre, he informed.

Among all the vegetables, consumption of potatoes consumed a lot across the country. Since potato cultivation is not taken up extensively in southern states, we are depending on northern states for sufficient supplies, the Minister said.

About Rs.45,000 investment is required for cultivation of potato in one acre. After plantation, the crop can be reaped in about 85 to 90 days, he added.