Somewhere in Gujarat....

First they sold potatoes at Rs 3 a kg, then they donated them to gaushalas, now they are dumping them by truckloads in the river. Such is the desperation among potato growers of Deesa, who also supply to McDonald’s. “At least 5 lakh sacks (each containing 50 kg) are being thrown in the river daily to empty the packed cold storages due to fresh arrival following a bumper crop production,” president of Cold Storage Owners Association Ganpat Kachhwaha said. “Even after disposing of 20 lakh sacks, we have 30 lakh bags in cold storages. We cannot even afford to take back the bags from storages. The annual rent of the bags kept in cold storage (Rs 50 per bag) and the freight charges (Re 1 per bag) are higher than the market value of the potatoes,” a potato grower Arun Saini said. General secretary Babulal Mali of Potato Growers Association, Deesa (Banaskantha), the major potato growing centre in the state, attributes it to “influx of tuber from upcountry, selling pressure of local traders, expectation of new crop and lack of buying support.” At least 12 cows have died so far due to overeating of the dumped potatoes in Aakol village situated at the bank of river Banas, three kilometre from Deesa, and at other places in the district.Banaskatha collector J B Vora said, “I suggested donating potatoes to those holding Below Poverty Line cards and for the mid-day meal scheme instead of dumping them in the river, which besides going waste is also causing pollution.” Apprehending huge losses due to poor rates, potato growers have urged the state government to help them by providing subsidy on freight and in export.