Government is considering creating buffer stock of potato during year 2016, as per information provided by Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. This step has been taken due to estimated fall in the output of the rabi crop. The buffer stock of potato would be created using the Rs 900-crore Price Stabilization Fund (PSF). The objective of this fund is to control price volatility, thereby protecting interest of farmers and consumers. The fund is being used for creating buffer stock of pulses and onions.
The total rabi potato crop is estimated to fall by 11.3% in 2015-16 compared to 2014-15 and prices are likely to increase in the coming months. The fall in production can be attributed to unfavourable weather conditions and late blight disease in some pockets of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
The total output of potato stood at 48 lakh tonnes in 2014-15. The major potato producing states are UP, West Bengal and Bihar.