Post News Network
Bargarh, March 20: Bumper potato production in the district has failed to bring cheers among farmers as they are worried over lack of storage facilities and proper marketing system here.
In the absence of storage facilities, some farmers have even started selling their produce to middlemen and unscrupulous traders at very low prices.
According to sources, 640 farmers had grown the tuber on 562 acres of land in the Bargarh sub-division with the help and support of local horticulture department and Orissa Community Tank Development Management Project. However, locals said the number of farmers adopting potato cultivation could be higher than the official figure.
Sources said government officials had set a target of 40,000 quintal potato production in the district in the current season. However, it is expected that quantity of tuber would exceed the official estimate.
Persuaded by glib talk of the
government officials, farmers grew
potato on their lands. While the officials had notified to open a market each in Bargarh, Bhukta and Bhatli areas to sell potato, but the decision is yet to take shape, farmers alleged.
Farmers also rued the absence of cold storage facility in the district as it has forced them to sell potatoes to middlemen at very low prices.
“I had grown potato on my land by purchasing seed at `1,200 per packet after being persuaded by government officials. However, the same officials have become unapproachable now,” said Premanand Dang, a farmer of Jarmuda village under Bargarh block.
When contacted, director of the local horticulture department Sushil Kumar Seth said the farmers were given `16,000 per acre for growing potato on their land. Arrangements have been made for the farmers to sell tuber at government-determined price, he added.
Seth also said that potato mandis would start functioning at Bargarh, Bhatli and Bhukta markets from Saturday. Potatoes procured in the mandis would be bought by Markfed, he added.
