1Department of Agricultural Economics, PHKVV, Palampur, (HP).
2(Soils), Central Potato Research Station, Modipuram, Meerut, (UP).
The study pertains to the importance of potato cultivation in one of the tribal districts of Himachal Pradesh viz. Lahaul — Spiti. The district has emerged as the potential supplier of high quality seed potato. The austere climate, which is not favourable for growing many food grain crops has been found to be quite conducive for raising potato. As a result tuber yields as high as 470 q/ha have been recorded on some progressive farms. Potato crop is also highly profitable due to higher input-output ratio in comparison to other major field crops. Net returns from potato are about Rs. 15,000/- per ha as against Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 from other major field crops, indicating the superiority and economic profitability of potato cultivation.
