Agra District, situated in Uttar Pradesh, stands as one of the foremost potato-producing regions in India. With approximately 71,000 hectares dedicated to potato cultivation, it contributes roughly 27% of the state’s total production. The region’s favourable climate and fertile soil create an ideal environment for farming, allowing various potato varieties to thrive. Notably, the district predominates in cultivating the Kufri Bahar variety, amongst others, aiding in a substantial annual yield of about 50 million metric tonnes.
In the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh, potato farming is a significant agricultural activity. Despite its prominence, farmers face several challenges that impede their ability to maximise productivity and profits.
Absence of Research Centre
A major challenge confronting potato farmers in Agra is the lack of a dedicated research centre. Although plans were approved in 2019 to establish an international potato research centre on the Delhi-Highway location at the village of Singna, progress has been stalled for years. The proposed centre was to be developed with support from Peru, involving an investment of INR 120 crore. This facility would have enabled the preparation of seed varieties suitable for Agra’s climate, allowing farmers to diversify beyond the predominantly grown Kufri Bahar variety, which is noted for its sweetness. Without this vital resource, farmers struggle to access new and potentially more lucrative potato strains suited to local conditions.
Lack of Food Processing Units
Agra District’s potato farmers also face issues due to the absence of food processing units. While promises were made for the establishment of such units back in 2014, the promise remains unfulfilled. This gap means that farmers are unable to access fair pricing for their produce, as options to process potatoes into higher-value products are limited. Without these processing facilities, excess potatoes often rot in storage, losing both their commercial value and the potential to be processed into products like alcohol or perfume, as practised in regions like China.
Insufficient Support and Infrastructure
Infrastructure gaps further exacerbate challenges for Agra’s potato farmers. Transportation costs remain high, with expenses such as digging and transporting potatoes to cold storage already cutting into profit margins. Farmers note that a bag of potatoes, weighing approximately 50 kilos, sells for INR 600 to 800, making it difficult for them to cover costs. Additionally, the lack of a supportive policy framework, such as the proposed potato board, means there is inadequate strategic direction and support for the potato farming community.
Despite these challenges, Agra District remains a pivotal player in Uttar Pradesh’s potato production landscape, contributing significantly to the state’s agricultural output.
Cultivation Statistics and Key Regions
In Uttar Pradesh, potatoes are planted over approximately 7 lakh hectares, with Agra District accounting for more than 71,000 hectares. This significant share reflects the district’s central role in potato cultivation. Key potato-growing areas include Khandauli, Shamsabad, Etmadpur, Fatehabad, and Kirawali. Agra is responsible for 27% of Uttar Pradesh’s total potato production and yields around 50 lakh metric tonnes annually. The district requires about 7 lakh metric tonnes of seed potatoes each year to sustain its production levels.
Varieties of Potatoes Cultivated
Agra’s farmers predominantly cultivate the Kufri Bahar variety of potatoes, well-regarded for its sweetness. Alongside Kufri Bahar, other varieties like Kufri Mohan, Kufri Chipsona (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), Kufri Sada Bahar, Kufri Surya, Kufri Anand, Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Badshah, Kufri Khayati, and Kufri Garima are also grown. Each variety caters to different market demands, from table potatoes to those used in processing chips and other products.
Climate and Soil Suitability
Agra’s climate and soil conditions are ideally suited for potato cultivation. The combination of moderate temperatures and the district’s fertile soil provides an optimal environment for potato planting and growth. These natural advantages further enhance Agra’s capacity to remain a top producer, despite the various challenges faced by the farming community.
In conclusion, while Agra District continues to play a vital role in Uttar Pradesh’s potato production sector, addressing the infrastructural deficits, lack of research advancement, and unfulfilled policy promises will be crucial in ensuring sustainable growth and profitability for the region’s potato farmers. The establishment of research and processing facilities would empower farmers, leading to better yields, diverse cropping, and improved economic outcomes for one of the state’s most significant agricultural sectors.
