The potato farmers of Kishoreganj have lost interest in potato cultivation due to continuous losses every year. The district agriculture extension department was not able to achieve the target due to lack of interest in potato cultivation among the farmers in the entire district.
However, due to the demand of the agriculture department to lean towards mustard cultivation, the target has not been achieved in potato cultivation this year. Due to low potato cultivation in about 600 hectares of land, there has been apprehension about achieving the target yield of potato. However, agronomists are seeing the possibility of bumper yield of potatoes as the weather is favorable this winter. But they will have to wait for at least the whole month of February.
According to the District Agriculture Extension Department, the target for potato cultivation in Kishoreganj has been set at 5,350 hectares and the production target has been set at 85,654 metric tons. Farmers have started preparing for early potato cultivation in the district as the weather is favorable after harvesting paddy.
It goes without saying that there is no seed crisis. At present, 40 kg sacks of Asteric, Carriage and Diamond varieties of potato seeds supplied by BRAC are being sold in different markets of the district.
According to agronomists, although the cultivation of potatoes has decreased this time, the weather is still favorable for potatoes. If the weather is favorable till the month of February, the yield will exceed the target.
BADC (Potato Seed) Deputy Director Md Ruhul Amin said there is no crisis in potato seeds. If any farmer needs potato seeds, he should contact us immediately. This year, the price of 'A' grade potatoes has been fixed at Tk 26.50 per kg and 'B' grade potatoes have been fixed at Tk 24.50 per kg. Other varieties of ‘A’ grade potatoes have been priced at Tk 24.50 and ‘B’ grade potatoes at Tk 22.50.
District Agricultural Extension Department Deputy Director Md Saiful Alam said the agriculture department was providing assistance in potato cultivation. There is no shortage of potato seeds this year. Hopefully there will be bumper yields of potatoes.
