Uttar Pradesh Reduces Potato Seed Prices: Farmers to Benefit from Cheaper Seeds

Key Highlights

• Potato seed prices were reduced by ₹500 per quintal.
• New prices: First quality at ₹2,995, second quality at ₹2,595.
• The target was set for 6.96 lakh hectares of potato cultivation.
• Subsidy of ₹25,000 per hectare for processed seed production.
• Farmers can buy seeds through district horticulture officers.

Good news for farmers in Uttar Pradesh! The state government has announced a reduction in the prices of potato seeds, making them more affordable. This move aims to help farmers grow potatoes and improve their earnings.

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh Targets Rs 3,000 Crore in Seed Production to Enhance Cash Crops

New Prices of Potato Seeds

For the financial year 2024-25, the government has decreased the prices of potato seeds by ₹500 per quintal. Here are the new prices for different types of potato seeds:

• First Quality Potato Seed: ₹2,995 per quintal
• Second Quality Potato Seed: ₹2,595 per quintal
• Oversized First Quality Seed: ₹2,270 per quintal
• Oversized Second Quality Seed: ₹2,210 per quintal
• First Truthful Quality Seed: ₹2,180 per quintal

The prices for both white and red potato varieties will remain the same.

Previous Prices

Before this reduction, the prices were as follows:

• First Quality Potato Seed: ₹3,495 per quintal
• Second Quality Potato Seed: ₹3,095 per quintal
• Oversized First Quality Seed: ₹2,770 per quintal
• Oversized Second Quality Seed: ₹2,710 per quintal
• First Truthful Quality Seed: ₹2,680 per quintal

Target for Potato Cultivation

The Horticulture Minister has set a target to cultivate potatoes in approximately 6.96 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh. To achieve this, about 24-25 lakh metric tonnes of potato seeds will be needed. The government plans to distribute 40,000 to 45,000 quintals of basic-category potato seeds to farmers.

Also Read: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Discusses Key Agricultural Issues and MSP Hike with Farmers

Previous Year’s Production

In 2023, 9,214.94 quintals of breeder potato seeds were obtained from the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI). These seeds were planted across 224.83 hectares of government fields, producing 45,168.50 quintals of basic and truthful category seeds. The varieties produced included Kufri Bahar, Kufri Chipsona-1 and 3, Kufri Anand, and more. These seeds were stored in cold storage facilities in Aliganj, Lucknow, and Modipuram, Meerut.

How to Get Potato Seeds

Farmers in Uttar Pradesh can purchase these affordable potato seeds by contacting their district horticulture officer. The seeds will be available at reduced prices, and farmers can buy them directly in cash.

Additionally, farmers producing processed varieties of potato seeds can receive a subsidy of ₹25,000 per hectare for bagging and tagging. The processed varieties available include Kufri Chipsona-1 and 3, Kufri Friesona, and Kufri Surya.

Also Read: Rs. 15,000 Subsidy on Coriander and Fenugreek Cultivation in Bihar: Here's How to Apply

CMV360 Says

With the reduction in potato seed prices, farmers in Uttar Pradesh can now access quality seeds at lower costs, supporting them in their farming efforts. This initiative aims to enhance the availability of good-quality potato seeds in the state, ultimately benefiting farmers and boosting potato cultivation.