Rajshahi, Apr 01 (V7N) – Despite a bumper potato harvest across the fields of Rajshahi, farmers are struggling due to low market prices and high storage costs. Many are unable to cover their land lease and production expenses, leaving them in a dire financial situation.

Currently, potatoes are being sold from the fields at only 10 to 12 taka per kg, a rate that barely covers the investment farmers made in seeds, fertilizers, and labor.

Cold Storage Costs Add to Farmers' Woes

  • Farmers claim they are trapped in a syndicate that controls cold storage and market prices.

  • The cost of storing potatoes has doubled, increasing from 4 taka per kg last year to 8 taka this year.

  • Many farmers, despite prior storage bookings, are being denied space due to the high demand and manipulated pricing.

The Rajshahi Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) acknowledges the issue and attributes the high production to favorable weather conditions. Officials say they are working on a balanced solution that benefits farmers, traders, and cold storage owners.

According to data from the DAE divisional office, potatoes have been cultivated on 365,000 hectares of land across 16 districts in northern Bangladesh this season.

Farmers are now urging the government to intervene by regulating cold storage costs, ensuring fair market prices, and protecting them from middlemen’s exploitation. Without immediate action, they fear that huge financial losses could force many out of farming altogether.

END/MSS/AJ