The Indian Express explains why the problem is recurrent and what can be done. Punjab farmers have begun harvesting this year’s potato crop. The season will continue until March 2019. With cold stores still stocked with 25 per cent of last year’s harvest, the wholesale rate of the crop is Rs 2.50 to Rs 3.50 per kg, almost the same as in 2016 and 2017. Consumers on the other hand are paying retail prices of Rs 15 to 20 per kg. Farmers say they are being cheated by the middlemen.

Sacks of potato line both sides of the road at Alwalpur village in Jandu Singha. Distressed by glut for the third consecutive season, farmers are unable to find buyers for the produce. they are giving away sacks of potatoes for free. At least 12 of them have stopped cultivating the crop. Either we let the crop rot on village streets or give it away to Gujjars for free.