Potato farming hit in Koraput

Rain, poor network plays spoilsport in sowing season

- POST NEWS NETWORK

Potato cultivation’ under the state government's Potato Mission has taken a hit in Koraput district due to two months of torrential rainfall. Moreover, the topography of the district, and poor network connectivity in rural areas have only added to the miseries of the farmers trying to register their land and access government benefits in the district, a report said.

Across the nine blocks in the district, 6,563 farmers have registered for potato farming on 3,726 hectares, out of the total 5,000-hectare target. As of now, 39,295 quintals of seed potatoes have been distributed, and cultivation completed on 1,844 hectares.

Farmers have expressed dissatisfaction with the current procurement and rebate scheme. Under this year's arrangement, they are required to purchase a 50-kg sack of potato seeds at ₹1,000, with a post-harvest rebate of ₹500 promised through direct bank transfer. In contrast, in previous years, farmers paid only ₹470 per packet, and received a rebate of ₹730, making the new scheme financially less favourable.