M A I L B A G

Problems of plenty: a solution

Apropos the editorial “Problems of plenty”, where in the problem of glut of potatoes has been highlighted and how the potatoes would be rotting for want of demand. This will ruin the farmers, most of whom are already in heavy debt. To make agriculture viable, a total view of the agricultural scene needs to be taken. The entire world over agriculture is treated as a commercial venture and is given all the financial, managerial, technological and other support as to any industry, whereas in India it is not treated as such. Because of this mindset, there is hardly any linkage amongst planning, production, processing marketing and feedback for a subsequent such cycle.

Now coming to potatoes, there is an urgent need to adopt an unconventional approach in this regard for the conventional use of potatoes will not yield any different dividends from the ones we have already seen. The only unconventional and workable approach as a diversification is to use potatoes for the manufacture of alcohol. Potatoes are used in the manufacture of Vodka. Vodka has a vast and ready market both within the country and abroad, given the suitable promotional inputs.

Also potatoes are being used in many countries for the manufacture in various forms of liquor which go by many names e.g “Snaps” and Ecquavitte in Scandanavian countries and “Ouzo” in Greece. Similarly, potatoes can be used to manufacture commercial alcohol, which can be used in many ways. Already Maharashtra is reportedly planning to use sugarcane-based alcohol as a vehicle fuel after mixing it with petrol to help their sugarcane farmers. Initially, they are planning mixing 5% of alcohol, which will later be increased to 10% Brazil is using alcohol as a vehicle fuel to the tune of 25%, this mixture being called “gasohol”. If we adopt this unconventional approach, both the potato and sugarcane producers will be benefited in a very big way.

Brig HARWANT SINGH (retd), Mohali

Growers’ exploitation

Congratulations on addressing the problems of potato growers in the news item “Traders syndicate exploit farmers” (April 3) by Chander Parkash. Such coverage increases the confidence of the general masses that the Press is a ray of hope for curbing corruption and lawlessness.

Our potato markets are manipulated by an obnoxious cartel of traders and cold store owners. This cartel tends to make the market either artificially depressed or elevated. Last year there was a sudden spurt in the potato prices in the name of failure of potato crop in Karnataka. Karnataka accounts for just 2 per cent of the total potato production in India, while the price rise was manyfold.

The current year’s low potato prices also seem to be artificially depressed otherwise the expected losses in the potato yield due to heavy rain in Punjab during February didn’t possess the potential of raising the prices from Rs 180/80 kg to Rs 600/80 kg. Similarly, when the yields were not observed to be down to the expected level, the fall in prices to the level of Rs 120/80 kg was again not justified.

In the present days of globalisation, we can’t expect our potato growers to tap international markets when the marketing environment allows such people to fix prices based on their convenience rather than the demand and supply forces. In the absence of a minimum support price or adequate market intervention schemes, Indian potatoes are experiencing wide price fluctuations which are not in the interest of producers as well as consumers. The Indian potato has a tremendous export potential, but if the regulatory bodies continue to play the role of silent spectators, then not only the potato growers, but also the entire nation will have to face the consequences.

Dr RAJESH K. RANA, Shimla

Income from pilgrimage

This has reference to the letter of the Saudi Ambassador (April 5).

In my 50 years as a journalist, I do not remember having fabricated a news. Yes, I have used the “news” provided by others. My only consideration has been: is the source likely to be professional? In this case, both American and Muslim sources have written on the advantages that the Saudis derive from the Haj.

There is a whole history to back up my belief. The Quraish objected to the new religion of Islam because they feared that they would lose the income from the pilgrimage. Which, by the way, is why the Prophet instituted the Haj to placate the Quraish, his own tribe.

It is a fact that the Vatican receives a huge amount from Christian pilgrimage. So does Tirupathi from Hindu pilgrimage.

I am not disputing what the Saudi Ambassador says. He may well be right. But look at the facts.

M.S. N. MENON, Delhi

MiGs: ‘ho sake to lot ke aana’

Due to the routine crashes of our MiGs, it would be better for the Air Force authorities to make public and publicise the flight schedule of all MiG, so that the citizens living near airports can get into trenches for their safety.

Or strike a deal with the US Air Force that we can send MiGs to be used in Iraq on such and such payment.

After every MiG flight, the crew left behind should pray to God: O jaane waale ho sake to lot ke aana.

BHUPINDER SINGH PARMAR, Jalandhar