Says Vajesinh Parmar, a farmer in Vijapur, who quadrupled the area under potato from two acres in 2004 to eight acres this season: “It was a good extended winter. Compared to an average of 10 tonnes per acre, I harvested 15 tonnes. But so did everyone else it seems,” he rues.

On an average, farmers have lost Rs 10,000-15,000 per acre. Though no estimates are available yet, the total loss could run into a few hundred crores. “Against the standard price of Rs 240 for a 60 kg bag, the going rate is Rs 150 per bag. So if a farmer produces 10 tonnes per acre, the loss translates to Rs 15,000 for 160-170 bags,” says Praful Sejalia, a farm leader associated with the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh.

Meanwhile, in cities like Gandhinagar, potatoes are selling for as less as Rs 2.5 per kg, even going down to Rs 1.5 per kg for smaller varieties. So vendors like Jetha Chaudhary go around residential areas without their trademark carts, taking orders before they deliver. “I will bring the produce in my bullock-cart depending on how much is to be off loaded. Women are buying potatoes in maunds,” he says.