Potato Processing Plant to be Established in Una with Rs 20 Crore Investment
Aim to Ensure Better Prices for Potato Farmers and Boost Local Economy
Shimla, December 29: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced plans to establish a potato processing plant in Una district with an investment of around Rs 20 crore. The plant will have a processing capacity of at least 500 kg per hour and will primarily focus on producing potato flakes. The Agriculture Department has been tasked with preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the plant.
Potatoes play a significant role in the state’s agriculture, contributing about 20 percent of Himachal Pradesh’s total vegetable production. The state produces approximately 2,38,317 metric tonnes of potatoes across 16,960 hectares. With the establishment of the processing plant, the government aims to provide farmers with better prices for their crops while stabilizing the potato market. By processing potatoes into value-added products like flakes, the plant will protect farmers from price fluctuations in the fresh potato market. Potato flakes are created by cooking, mashing, and drying the potatoes into a finer product, which is then packaged for sale.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the potato processing industry is highly industrialized, technologically advanced, and driven by market demand. He emphasized that Una district, which produces around 54,200 metric tonnes of potatoes in 3,400 hectares during both the autumn and spring seasons, is an ideal location for such a facility. Additionally, neighboring Punjab also produces large quantities of potatoes, ensuring a consistent supply of raw material for the plant.
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One key benefit of potato cultivation in Himachal Pradesh is its harvest season during the Rabi period, which typically falls in March. However, market conditions often lead to challenges for farmers during this time. The new processing unit will give farmers the opportunity to sell their crop at better prices, thereby reducing the impact of price fluctuations and ensuring year-round demand for potatoes.
Chief Minister Sukhu also noted that Himachal Pradesh’s climate is perfect for producing high-quality, disease-free seed potatoes, which are in demand across India. As consumer preferences shift towards processed potato products like flakes, the expansion of the processing industry in Himachal Pradesh will not only benefit local farmers but also contribute to the overall growth of the state’s agricultural economy.
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