Gujarat’s potato exports affected by pesticide overuse

Updated: Oct 26th, 2023

Potatoes (img: Envato Elements)

For years, potato exports have been a source of pride for Gujarat. The numbers tell an impressive story where Gujarat accounts for almost one-third of the country’s potato exports.

However in recent times, the demand for Gujarat’s potatoes has significantly dipped in overseas markets. One of the major factors can be attributed to the substandard quality of the potatoes grown under heavy influence of pesticides.

Innovations in potato farming: for better or worse?

Several multinational as well as Indian companies have entered the agribusiness sector, which has provided a market valuation to farmers for their crops.

These companies have brought many innovations to this sector.

Scientists have experimented with various potato genes to gain a better-sized potato sapling. But this has drastically led to a significant imbalance in the vegetable’s benefits.

The farmers and companies, eyeing to increase their potato production, have used pesticides, which have impacted the crop as well as the land.

Currently, there are 25 types of pesticides being used by farmers for potato production.

Gujarat’s potato production

12 years ago, Gujarat’s potato cultivation was carried out on 1.23 lakh acres of land in the state, which produced 10.5 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes. Today, the land has expanded to 3.23 lakh acres, and the production has shot up to 41.65 lakh metric tonnes in 2022-23.

However, there has been a lack of supervision in Gujarat for farmers and companies producing unsubstantiated potatoes using pesticides.

This, in turn, has resulted in a slump in demand overseas for Gujarat’s potatoes.

Gujarat’s potato production hails predominantly from areas of north Gujarat like Banaskantha, Aravalli, and Sabarkantha.

Use of pesticides in farming

Some of the pesticides used by farmers include gibberellic acid, which has been used for the last 10 years. This chemical is mixed with alcohol and spread over the potato crops, which, while increases the size, turns the crop harmful to health.

Agri experts have explained that the pesticides are absorbed in the soil and are then consumed by the roots, through which they enter the fruit, vegetables, or grains.

Crops with the most pesticides include potatoes, okra (ladies’ fingers), cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, celery, strawberry, cherry, tomatoes, peaches, pears, apples, and grapes, making it mandatory to be thoroughly washed, rinsed before consumption.

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