OKARA: Potato growers have suffered losses in the recent crop as they bear input cost of Rs17 per kilo (kg) and storage charge of Rs6 per kg whereas the market price of the yield is Rs8 per kg.

This was said by Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP) Director Dr Afzaal Haider Rizvi in a chat with this correspondent. Fruit and Vegetables Market Association President Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf and farmer Rao Asim Badar were also present.

Mr Rizvi said there were 300 cold storages filled with more than two million tons of seed and potato in the district. This happens at such a time when farmers are preparing for the crop sowing season.

He said earlier Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Chiniot were major potato growing districts. For the last three to four years, cotton belt districts from Khanewal to Sadiqabad were also turning to the cultivation of potato, which made the crop surplus. Mr Rizvi also made a shocking revelation that potato crop from Afghanistan was available in Okara vegetable markets.

According to him, the government had never introduced a genuine agriculture policy as there was no national foods security ministry in the country. He said the government could not allow the import of potato.

He demanded that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan announce a Rs5 per kg freight rebate to every consignment to Iran and Afghanistan.

“This is the only way the government can support potato growers, otherwise millions of tons of potatoes in cold storages would be useless,” he said. He said potato exports would also earn much-needed foreign exchange.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2018