India: Sale of seed potatoes to begin on May 9

Deputy Commissioner R. Girish held a meeting with Merchants' Association and Representatives of the Horticulture Department in Hassan on Thursday. He said ₹2,800 per quintal should be the maximumprice. Potato is a major cash crop for farmers in parts of Hassan, Arsikere, Holenarsipur, Channarayapatna, and Arkalgud taluks in the district. Merchants procure seed potatoes from Jalandhar in Punjab. The merchants argued that they procure seed potatoes by paying up to ₹2,000 per quintal, besides the transportation expenses. They urged the administration to fix the price at ₹3,000 per quintal. However, the administration arrived at ₹ 2,800 per quintal. The DC said that the sale of seed potatoes would begin on May 9. The farmers could start sowing seeds ...