A sudden and severe crash in potato prices at Haryana's Karnal wholesale market has plunged local farmers into a state of financial distress and uncertainty. The steep decline, reported over recent days, has sparked urgent calls for government intervention to prevent crippling losses for the agricultural community.
Market Plunge and Farmer Anguish
According to reports from the Karnal 'mandi' or wholesale market, the price of potatoes has plummeted dramatically. Farmers are now receiving between Rs 300 to Rs 400 per quintal for their produce. This represents a devastating drop compared to the cost of cultivation, which farmers estimate stands at a much higher Rs 1,200 per quintal. Selling at the current market rate means farmers are losing nearly Rs 800 to Rs 900 on every quintal they bring to market.
The situation has caused significant anguish among the farming community. Many had invested heavily in seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and labor, expecting a reasonable return. The current prices are not even covering their basic input costs, pushing them towards potential debt.
BKU's Urgent Appeal to the State Government
In response to this crisis, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), a prominent farmers' union, has stepped forward to demand immediate action. The union has made a formal appeal to the Haryana state government to activate a support mechanism for the beleaguered potato growers.
The BKU's primary demand is clear: the government must initiate procurement operations to buy potatoes directly from the farmers at a sustainable price. This intervention is seen as a critical step to "cut the losses" of the farmers and provide them with some financial relief. The union argues that without such support, the economic viability of potato cultivation in the region is under severe threat, which could have long-term repercussions for the state's agricultural output and farmer livelihoods.
The Ripple Effects and Need for a Solution
The crash in potato prices is not an isolated incident but reflects broader vulnerabilities in agricultural supply chains and market mechanisms. When wholesale prices fall so drastically below the cost of production, it undermines the entire farming ecosystem. Farmers are left with no bargaining power and are forced to sell at a loss simply to avoid total waste of their perishable crop.
This crisis highlights the urgent need for more robust price stabilization measures and effective market intervention policies. Farmers' groups like the BKU emphasize that timely government action is not just about providing temporary relief but is essential for ensuring the sustainability of agriculture. The eyes of Haryana's farming community are now on the state administration, waiting to see if it will implement procurement or other support schemes to address this acute potato price crash and secure their interests.
