In potato for French Fries,state sows seeds of success

“We have multiplied the seed of Kufri FrySona variety of potato for the first time in the state’s farms as this variety is very good for making French fries,” said Dr Daljeet Singh Gill,horticulture development officer (Jalandhar),adding that the crop is a high yeilding variety.

Apart from the Kufri FrySona,the department has also multiplied seeds of another new potato variety,Kufri Khyati,which,officials say,is also a high yielding early maturing variety.

Punjab Horticulture Department director Dr Lajwinder SIngh said that the department has been preparing seeds of around 9-10 potato crops but the seeds of Kufry Frysona and Kufri Khyati have been multiplied for the first time.

“Farmers can get the certification for this seed from the certifying authorities which will help them get better rates,” informed deputy directory (horticulture) Dr Satbir Singh. Dr Gill said that the seed would be sold on a first-come,first-serve basis.

The horticulture department has grown 30,000 quintal seed of around a dozen varities of potato on 400 acres in nine of its farms in state,of which,around 25,000 quintal will be sold to farmers and the remaining will be used for the further multiplication of the seed for the next year.

Weather plays spoil-sport

The recent rains have further delayed potato harvesting thus affecting the prospect of farmers receiving export orders as there was huge demand for the crop in the Middle-East. While the harvesting season usually begins in the last week of January and is done by February,this year,harvesting,which only began in the first week of February has been stopped due to the recent rains. For export orders,farmers will now have to wait till March. The horticulture department is expecting around 21 lakh metric tonnes of potato produce this year and has made arrangements for storage of around 18 lakh metric tonnes.