In a recent agricultural development, farmer Shantaram Limbaji Thorat from Manchar (Taluka Ambegaon), India, has harvested 1.5 tons of sugar-free Kufri Neelkanth blue potatoes on a five-guntha plot. This marks Maharashtra's first known effort in cultivating this medicinal potato variety.
The Kufri Neelkanth blue potato is valued for its health benefits, particularly for individuals with diabetes and heart conditions. Its distinctive blue color attracted many local farmers who came to observe the harvest.
Thorat, a fourth-generation potato farmer, utilized modern farming methods and adopted an experimental approach with this variety. Soil preparation included the use of cow dung and poultry manure. Potato seeds were planted six inches apart, and 50 kg of chemical fertilizer was applied. Drip irrigation supported water management, and regular weeding and fertilization enhanced crop growth. The crop flowered in 45 days and was ready for harvest at three months, producing potatoes weighing between 150–175 grams each, for a total yield of 1,600 kg.
The potatoes were sold at a market price of $0.14–$0.17 per kg. Cultivation costs totaled around $108, resulting in a net profit of $145. Thorat credited his wife, Sangita, for her support throughout the process.
Thorat's interest in sugar-free potatoes follows similar cultivation in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where the variety has been grown for two years. While limited consumer awareness currently keeps prices close to those of regular potatoes, Thorat believes that with increased recognition, the sugar-free variety could command significantly higher prices.
"If awareness about sugar-free potatoes increases, they could fetch three to four times the price of regular potatoes in the market," said Shantaram Limbaji Thorat, a potato farmer from Manchar (Taluka Ambegaon).
Source: The Bridge Chronicle