Pandemic leads to spike in price of Ooty potatoes

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted potato cultivation in the Nilgiris, main not directly to a price improve.

Farmers and vegetable merchants say the price of potatoes, popularly referred to as ‘Ooty potatoes’ for his or her distinctive style, has elevated in the previous couple of weeks, with one kg going for ₹45-₹55 on the vegetable market in Mettupalayam.

Horticulture Department officers say potato is grown on 1,500-1,800 hectares annually in the district. While they’re uncertain of the precise acreage of the crop because the pandemic began, they’ve seen a couple of farmers with bigger landholdings staying away from intensive potato cultivation this 12 months owing to the uncertainty.

G. Venkat, a vegetable farmer from Muthorai Palada close to Udhagamandalam, says that after the lockdown was introduced in March, many farmers determined to swap to greens that may be cultivated with minimal enter prices. “As many were unsure of when the lockdown would be lifted and because of the problems in the transport of vegetables to other districts for a few weeks after the announcement, many farmers decided to grow low-maintenance crops,” he stated.

Vegetable merchants supplying potatoes to Coimbatore and neighbouring districts say COVID-19 has performed an element in the price improve. R. Hariharan, a dealer from Ketti Palada close to Coonoor, says the farmers’ resolution led to the demand for potatoes outstripping the provision, pushing the price up in the previous couple of weeks. “Many traders expect the trend to continue well after Deepavali, till the next crop is sown,” he says.

S. Muthuraj, a farmer from Ketti, says that earlier than the lockdown, farmers have been getting round ₹30-₹35 a kg. “As the price of potatoes has increased over the last few months, many have started sowing potatoes during this crop cycle itself, expecting the price to stay high till Christmas,” he stated.