In a significant shift, farmers in Chamarajanagar district, especially in Hanur and Gundlupet taluks, have taken up large-scale potato cultivation, traditionally limited to Hassan and Kolar. The total area under potato farming has expanded dramatically to 3,700 acres, a tenfold rise from just two years ago, driven by year-round demand and the growth of processing industries.
Previously, farmers in the region focused on sunflower, jowar, urad dal, and maize. But better returns and successful yields are drawing them to this commercial crop. Villages like Lokkanahalli, PG Palya, Huttur, and nearby areas that had only 500–600 acres under potato two years ago are now seeing more land converted for its cultivation. The trend is also spreading into Terakanambi, Bommalapura, Ankahalli, and Hangala in Gundlupet.
The kharif season has seen farmers purchasing seed potatoes at ₹1,100 per quintal, mostly sourced from Hassan and Punjab. Irrigation pumpsets have enabled round-the-year cultivation.
PG Palya farmer and gram panchayat member Krishnamurthy reported earning ₹2 lakh profit last season from two acres. He now plans to expand to four acres, expecting similar gains.
District Farmers’ Federation secretary Baradanapura Nagaraj has called for the horticulture and agriculture departments to provide training, support prices, and seed subsidies via Raitha Samparka Kendras.
Agriculture joint director Abid confirmed that the department is now offering financial aid, technical support, and subsidies on seeds and crop medicines to support this emerging trend.