Potato

Potato is a major food crop, grown more than 100 countries in world. The native South Americans brought Potato under cultivation possibly 2000 years before the Spanish conquest. In 1537, the Spaniards first came into contact with potato in one of the villages of Andes. In Europe, it was introduced between 1580 .A.D. to 1585 A.D. in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. At present, China, Russia, India, Poland and U.S.A. contribute a major share of total world production. It was introduced in India by the Portuguese sailors during early 17th century and it’s cultivation was spread to North India by the British. Potato is one of main commercial crop grown in the country. It is cultivated in 23 states in India. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab and Gujarat account a lion’s share in total production. Country has achieved a tremendous growth in potato production during last four to five decades. The annual compound growth rate of potato is higher than other major food crops in respect of area, production and productivity. In the year 2002-2003, the production was 25 million tonnes while it was 5 million tonnes during 1970. Hence, owing its significant growth in production, bumper yields has been observed almost in every year. Due to the bumper crop, and lack of post harvest management, glut situations risen in the market for the surplus yield every year which ultimately results in decline the prices drastically.