Since Pakistan's establishment in 1947, where potato cultivation was confined to a minimal area with an annual production below 30,000 tonnes, the crop has witnessed a remarkable transformation. The period between 1995 and 2007 saw a dramatic increase in both the area under cultivation and average yields, primarily due to advancements in irrigation techniques, catapulting production from one million to a record high of more than 2.6 million tonnes.
According to the latest agricultural data from 2017, potato farming now spans over 170,300 hectares, generating an output of approximately 4.0 million tonnes. The bulk of this production is rooted in Punjab, accounting for over 95% of the nation's total potato yield, with other contributions from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh.
The majority of Pakistani potato farmers are geared towards supplying urban markets, with the crop serving as a vital source of rural income. Furthermore, potato consumption within the country is on an upward trajectory, with the annual per capita consumption increasing from around 10 kg to over 15 kg in the last decade.
Source: Potato Pro