KANPUR, April 9 -- With around 2,207 cold storage units in UP holding nearly 195 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes, farmers say market prices have fallen so sharply this season that they cannot recover even their cost of production.To press for relief, a delegation from the Aloo Vikas Evam Vipnan Sahkari Sangh met governor Anandiben Patel in Lucknow on Wednesday, submitting a memorandum listing 15 demands. The delegation, led by director Ashok Katiyar, called for a minimum support price for potatoes and government procurement, along with distribution of 25 kg per ration card monthly through PDS shops. They also demanded inclusion of potatoes in the mid-day meal scheme for primary schools, according to a release.On the policy front, the federation sought abolition of mandi tax, subsidised cold storage charges and agricultural electricity rates for storage facilities. It also pressed for phytosanitary laboratories in key potato-growing districts, Farrukhabad, Kanpur, Agra, Meerut and Kannauj, to enable exports to Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.Other demands included setting up a Potato Development Board, establishing the proposed centre of excellence for potato at Araul in Kanpur and an industrial promotion package for potato-based units in Khimsepur, Farrukhabad. htc...