UP Potato Farmers Can Get Support on Cold Storage Costs and Low-Sale Prices Under Two Schemes
The Uttar Pradesh Horticulture Department has introduced a dedicated UP Potato Farmer Portal through which potato farmers can register and apply for two important support schemes. The schemes are aimed at providing assistance with cold-storage costs and helping farmers who sell potatoes below the government's applicable protected price.
The two schemes are the Cold Storage Fee Subsidy and the Bhamashah Price Stabilisation Fund. For farmers who store potatoes and later face weak market prices, these schemes could provide important financial support, subject to verification and eligibility requirements.
💰 What Support Is Available?
| Government Support | What It Covers | Who Can Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| ❄️ Cold Storage Fee Subsidy | Support towards potato storage rental costs | Farmers storing potatoes in eligible cold storages |
| 📉 Bhamashah Price Stabilisation Fund | Price-difference assistance when potatoes are sold below the protected price | Eligible farmers selling potatoes through prescribed channels |
Farmers must register on the portal and complete e-KYC before applying for either scheme.
📊 Protected Prices Listed for Rabi 2026
The government guide lists different protected prices depending on the potato variety:
- Kufri Bahar — ₹900/quintal
- Kufri Chipsona — ₹950/quintal
- Kufri Jyoti — ₹880/quintal
- Kufri Pukhraj — ₹870/quintal
This means the support under the price-stabilisation scheme is not a fixed amount. It depends on the variety, quantity sold, season and verified selling price.
👨🌾 What Farmers Need to Do
Before applying, farmers should keep their Aadhaar, mobile number, bank passbook, Khasra/Khatauni details and relevant storage or sale documents ready.
For the cold-storage subsidy, four key receipts are required:
Storage Receipt → Rent Payment Receipt → Gate Pass → Bag Tally/Stacking Receipt
For the price-stabilisation claim, farmers selling through a mandi need the sale receipt and bank payment receipt. Direct sales under the prescribed arrangement require a signed agreement involving the farmer, trader and cold storage.
🥔 Simple Example
If a farmer sells 100 quintals of Kufri Bahar at ₹650/quintal, while the protected price shown in the guide is ₹900/quintal, the difference is ₹250/quintal.
The guide therefore gives an estimated assistance of ₹25,000 for 100 quintals. However, the final amount is subject to document and price verification by the District Horticulture Officer.
Why This Matters for PB Users
👨🌾 Farmers: Potential support when storage costs are incurred or market prices fall below the applicable protected price.
❄️ Cold Storage Owners: Storage receipts and verification play an important role in the subsidy process.
🚜 Traders: Proper sale documentation and banking records are important for direct-sale claims.
📱 All Stakeholders: Farmers can track applications online and raise grievances regarding payment, rejection or processing delays.
🟢 PB Takeaway
For UP potato farmers, the important message is “register first and preserve your documents.” Registration and e-KYC are compulsory, while cold-storage receipts and proper sale/payment records are essential for making claims.
Farmers should also remember that the amount displayed during application is only an estimate. The final assistance is decided after verification by the concerned authorities.