The Price Forecasting Scheme at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has advised farmers to take appropriate decision on sowing potatoes as its prices would remain stable, hovering around Rs. 23. to 25 per kilo, till December end.

The scheme analysed the last 19 years’ prices of potato that prevailed in Nilgiris Cooperative Marketing Society at Mettupalaym in the district.

The results revealed that farm gate price of good quality potato would be around Rs. 23-25 per kilo and remain stable till December end.

In Tamil Nadu, potato is cultivated only in small area, specifically in the Nilgiris and Palani hills and grown round the year both as irrigated and rain fed crop, grown in 6,000 hectare with a production of 1.3 lakh tonnes last year.
Demand for potato may rise significantly in the future since festival seasons and spiritual seasons (Karthigai and Margazhi in Tamil Nadu) are ahead.

With regard to brinjal, the analysis in Coimbatore and traders survey conducted in Ottanchatram markets indicated that the average farm gate prices during harvest months (Nov-Dec) would be around Rs.20 to Rs.23 per kilo. The production of brinjal in 0.11 lakh hectares was 1.05 lakh tones in Tamil Nadu.

Quoting trade sources it said that currently Coimbatore and Ottanchatram markets were experiencing enough arrivals and brinjal would fetch better price in November- December months due to the commencement of social and festive occasion.

As far as bhendi (Lady finger), it was grown in an area of 0.8 lakh hectares with production of 0.56 lakh tonnes last year in Tamil Nadu.

Due to low rainfall, bhendi production has come down, leading to firming up of prices, even as arrivals are happening in Coimbatore and Ottanchatram markets, which will be extended up to November end.

As per the econometric analysis of the past 13 years’ prices, the farmers could get a gate prices of Rs.18 to Rs.20 per kilo, during harvest time of November and December, based on which they can take their sowing decision.