A.Rafay
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LAHORE The potato prices may improve as the country is going to export over 130,000 ton of potato this year, including 75,000 ton to Iran and 55,000 ton to Central Asian countries.
According to figures, around 2.8 million ton of potato is expected to be produced this season against 2.5 million ton last year. After meeting the domestic demand of around 1.6 million ton, a surplus of around 1.5 million ton will be available for export, exporters claimed. Currently potato is priced at Rs550 per 40kg at the wholesale level and with the expected arrival of huge quantity, the rates are anticipated to remain stabilised.
The reasons of better potato yield is attributed to utilisation of better quality seeds, use of modern technology and improved storage facilities. Potato is one of the main cash crops of farmers as well as among the main exportable horticulture commodities from the country.
Experts said that agricultural production and farm incomes in Pakistan are frequently affected by natural disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones, storms, landslides and earthquakes. Hence, the investments of farmers need to be safeguarded by crop insurance. In countries having multiple risk insurance schemes, government support to agricultural insurance operations has been regarded inevitable due to market failures.
Such support should be provided in the form of subsidies on premium to farmers to cover some of the high administrative costs. Pakistan is presently exporting commodity at $225-230 per ton but rates are continuing to fluctuate due to stiff competition, India is booking at $210 per ton. They said that Pakistan exported around 125,000 ton of potato in 2010-11. The decline in export is attributed to stiff competition from China, India and Bangladesh, which recently emerged as leading exporters of potato, exporters said, adding they are offering lower rates per ton to attract buyers.
In India, the government allows 50 per cent subsidy on premium to small and marginal farmers. Crop insurance is purchased by agricultural producers, including farmers.
India has always been a major player in the field and is expanding both production and export of potato internationally and regionally. The situation is challenging for Pakistan, particularly Punjab which produces almost 90 per cent of the crop.
Pakistan likely to export 130,000 ton potato to Iran, Central Asia | The Nation
According to figures, around 2.8 million ton of potato is expected to be produced this season against 2.5 million ton last year. After meeting the domestic demand of around 1.6 million ton, a surplus of around 1.5 million ton will be available for export, exporters claimed. Currently potato is priced at Rs550 per 40kg at the wholesale level and with the expected arrival of huge quantity, the rates are anticipated to remain stabilised.
The reasons of better potato yield is attributed to utilisation of better quality seeds, use of modern technology and improved storage facilities. Potato is one of the main cash crops of farmers as well as among the main exportable horticulture commodities from the country.
Experts said that agricultural production and farm incomes in Pakistan are frequently affected by natural disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones, storms, landslides and earthquakes. Hence, the investments of farmers need to be safeguarded by crop insurance. In countries having multiple risk insurance schemes, government support to agricultural insurance operations has been regarded inevitable due to market failures.
Such support should be provided in the form of subsidies on premium to farmers to cover some of the high administrative costs. Pakistan is presently exporting commodity at $225-230 per ton but rates are continuing to fluctuate due to stiff competition, India is booking at $210 per ton. They said that Pakistan exported around 125,000 ton of potato in 2010-11. The decline in export is attributed to stiff competition from China, India and Bangladesh, which recently emerged as leading exporters of potato, exporters said, adding they are offering lower rates per ton to attract buyers.
In India, the government allows 50 per cent subsidy on premium to small and marginal farmers. Crop insurance is purchased by agricultural producers, including farmers.
India has always been a major player in the field and is expanding both production and export of potato internationally and regionally. The situation is challenging for Pakistan, particularly Punjab which produces almost 90 per cent of the crop.
Pakistan likely to export 130,000 ton potato to Iran, Central Asia | The Nation
