Farmers Await Ideal Conditions as Rains Disrupt Potato Sowing Timelines in Himachal Pradesh.
In Una, Himachal Pradesh, the onset of the potato planting season has been significantly hampered by incessant rains and unpredictable weather patterns. Although the planting period typically commences from 25th August and continues until mid-September, farmers in the district have yet to begin sowing their potato seeds due to adverse conditions.
Farmers have been proactive, acquiring seeds in anticipation of the planting season. However, the persistent rainfall has created unsuitable conditions for sowing, as the soil must reach an optimal moisture level to prevent the seeds from rotting upon planting. This year, the price of potato seeds has also escalated, ranging from Rs 2300 to Rs 2500 per quintal, adding financial pressure on farmers as they navigate these challenging circumstances.
In recent years, the area under potato cultivation in Una has remained steady at approximately 1,200 hectares, yielding an annual production volume of around 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of potatoes. The average yield in the region is about 20 tonnes per hectare, underscoring the district’s significance in potato production within Himachal Pradesh.
Local farmers are hopeful that the weather will stabilize, allowing them to begin planting around the first week of September. This delay is particularly concerning as last year, many potato farms suffered substantial damage due to excessive rainfall, forcing farmers to replant their crops. Given that Una is a pivotal region for potato cultivation, its planting schedule often influences subsequent sowing in neighboring areas of Punjab.
