Difficulties Faced

A significant quantity of potatoes is lost as waste (around 30 kg per week). Apprehensiveness and a certain degree of non co-operation on the part of the shop-keeper resulted in limited information.

Other Uses for Small-sized Potatoes/Potato Peels

Mint Potatoes Wash small potatoes and rub off the skins with a coarse towel, or pare and scrape them. Put into boiling water with sprigs of mint sufficient to flavour them well; and cook until done, drain, and serve with drawn butter. Potato crisps made from potato peelings the skin contains loads of fibre and its usually the tastiest bit of the potato too.

Other Uses for Small-sized Potatoes/Potato Peels (contd)

Mashed Potatoes. Roast potatoes with skins intact (high nutritional value). Potato Bhaji Pakoda. Compost/fertilizer.

Other Uses for Small-sized Potatoes/Potato Peels

Potato Peel Pie Recipe Ingredients: 2 cups raw, grated potato skins, use mashed potatoes for filling 1/3 cup grated onion 1 egg, beaten 3 Tbs flour beetroot sour cream (optional) butter (optional) garlic (optional) Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a small pie plate. Mix grated potato peels with egg, onion and flour. Press the mixture into the pie plate and up the sides to form a crust. Bake crust for 20-25 minutes. While the crust is baking, cook potatoes, drain and mash. You can add your favourite mashed potato flavourings here i.e. garlic, onion, milk, butter, salt, etc. Fill crust with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with beetroot. Bake in oven at lower temperature of 375 for 10 minutes or until browned.

Other Uses for Small-sized Potatoes/Potato Peels (contd)

Walkers, a leading UK foods maker of potato chips and other snacks (owned by PepsiCo UK and Ireland) plans to use potato peels to make its snack bags environmentally friendly. (October 11, 2010). Similar possibilities can be looked at in India as well.

Measures for Improvement

Purchase potatoes in larger quantities (480kg instead of 160kg). Immediate benefit of larger Trade Discounts.

Possibilities of Purchasing Own Vehicle

TVS Max4R is meant for use as a workhorse, capable of carrying loads safely up to 300 kgs (including the rider). Detachable rear seat, mobile charging slot, 4 shock absorbers, large main stand meant for extra weight and riding comfort.

Advantage of Owning Own Vehicle

Presently, to transport 160 kgs from the market, it costs Rs. 200. With the use of the bike, 480 kgs can be transported at a cost of under Rs. 150 (on-road mileage of the bike is above 60kmpl, and the distance is 30km each way 120 km per trip). Would require an investment of Rs. 38,000 (approx), payable by affordable instalments. Would save over Rs. 550 per month on transportation charges alone.