OKARA, Jan 7: Growers have slated import of potato from India, terming it economic murder of local farmers giving high yield of the staple vegetable. Potato Growers Society president Mian Siddique, Farmers Associate Pakistan director Dr Syed Afzaal Haider and grower Chaudhry Maqsood Ahmad said in the peak season the government was importing potatoes from India which was causing huge financial loss to local growers.

They said the growers of Okara, Kasur, Pakpattan and Sahiwal districts were producing more than 50 per cent of the total potato yield in the country. This season, they said, potato cultivation and per-acre yield was considerably high in the area compared to the previous year’s.

They said at present more than 20,000 sacs, each containing 100-120 kilogram potato, were arriving at Okara vegetable market. The quantity, they claimed, was not only more than enough for domestic consumption, but the excessive produce could also be exported to foreign markets.

They said by importing potato, the country’s foreign exchange was being wasted, and sought a review of the policy.— Correspondent