ANALYSIS OF POTATO PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND YIELD VARIABILITY IN INDIA

Abstract

In India, during last six decades potato production increased significantly. The study analyses (a) temporal and spatial growth rates of area, production and yield during 2000-01 to 2010-11 of some important states of India to provide an updated assessment of recent performance in last decade (b) relative contribution of area and yield in enhancing production and (c) categorize them on the basis of yield variability. The analysis showed that during the last decade the potato yield and production grew at 1.10 and 5.98% per annum respectively at national level. Highest growth in area was observed in Bihar (12.74%) followed by Gujarat (9.53%) however remarkable production growth was seen in Bihar, UP and Gujarat to the extent of 23.64, 15.10 and 12.39% respectively. Bihar witnessed highest productivity growth. States like UP, Haryana and Gujarat were in the category of ‘High yield-low yield variability’ i.e. the most desirable category. At national level the contribution of yield in enhancing the production was substantially low (11.76%) as compared to area (82.62%). Tripura and Himachal Pradesh registered negative area effect to the extent of -12.44 and -48.33% respectively. The yield effect was highest in Himachal Pradesh. Yield component was found to be the driving force in production enhancement in some states.