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India 2012 Continent Report

Potato production in India

India is the second largest producer of potatoes in the world at 34.4m tonnes in 2009. Indian production grew more than 19% from 2005 to 2009 Annual Total Quantity Produced (MT)

Average yield in India is 18.77t/ha – higher than the world average, but less than developed nations Annual Net Yield (T/Ha)

The state of Punjab produces 85% of national seed Image courtesy of Science of Advice for Scottish Agriculture

Potato production during 2029-30 is projected to reach 70mt from the current 2009-10 level of 37m tonnes.

The potato production increase in India is expected to be gained from the combined effect of a gradual increase in potato area and productivity.

Potato production in India is highly skewed towards the north Indian plains. Transportation of the crop from North Indian states to south and central Indian states is very common

Map for India Two biggest producing states are in north India – Utter Pradesh and West Bengal together produce 52% of total output West Bengal Utter Pradesh

Annual Total Area Harvested (HA) Figures for India

A typical potato field from the region… A typical potato field in India…

What is the current market like in India?

Potatoes are not covered by support price policy under agricultural crops by the Government of India. The market is governed by supply and demand forces. There are some support measures for export subsidy, only when there is over production

Average annual potato prices in South India are much higher than North India due to the main production area being in the North

A very large proportion of potato crisps in India is manufactured in an unorganised sector

India needs storage from April to October and a capacity of 22m tonnes (including storage of seed potato).

What is the current utilisation of potatoes in India?

Fresh potatoes are the biggest sector, at almost 75% of the market The next biggest market is for feed at 12.5%

Potato crisps have the highest position in the processed market with an 88% share.

French fries use only 2% of processing quality potatoes in India.

Overall, the frozen potato products industry in India is growing at 30% annual growth rate.

There are no potato starch making facilities in the country

What is the current position of research & development in India?

The Central Potato Research Institute (Shimla) is the main centre of R&D for Potatoes in India They continue to develop 48 indigenous potato varieties at present

CPRI developments - Seed Plot techniques to develop potato production in sub-tropical plains

CPRI developments – Standardisation of Agro-techniques for ware and processing potato production

CPRI developments – Application of IT tools for resource management and crop protection

What are the challenges for India?

More than 90% of crop is produced in October and March months that fall under short days in northern hemisphere. As a result, the physiological potential of potato productivity in tropics and sub-tropics falls drastically compared to temperate countries.

A very large number of potato growers in India produce potatoes on very small scale and uneconomical holdings. Many producers don’t follow latest advice or practises for crop husbandry.

What are the future objectives for India?

Effective exploitation of genetic resources for varietal improvement Safe application of biotechnology for potato improvement Encouraging production of quality planting material

Resource based planning and crop management. Effective and eco-friendly crop production. Encouraging energy efficient storage and diversified utilisation of potato.