Bogura Correspondent:

Potatoes are one of the major cash crops in Bogura. Pakri potatoes, in particular, are widely popular as a vegetable in Bogura and the surrounding districts. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 48 local and high-yielding potato varieties are cultivated in Bogura. Among the varieties, the high-yielding Asterix variety, locally known as ‘Stick’, is cultivated most this season. Despite its high productivity, however, market prices have not kept pace. After incurring losses last season, farmers have again fallen into losses this year, with many fearing mounting debt. In this context, growers have reduced potato cultivation.

Officials from DAE said around 36 percent of the cultivated land has so far been harvested. Although cultivation has declined compared to last year, production is expected to exceed the target.

Data from the Bogura DAE show that in 2024, a production target of around 1.19 million (1,199,910) tonnes was set against 55,060 hectares of land. Actual cultivation reached 60,435 hectares — 5,375 hectares above target — and final output stood at approximately 1.33 million tonnes. Favourable weather contributed to increases in both cultivated area and yield. For the current fiscal year, the cultivation target has been fixed at 55,750 hectares. However, farming has taken place on 54,465 hectares — 1,285 hectares short of the target.

Agriculture officials said production is expected to exceed the target due to higher yields. The production target for the current year has been set at approximately 1.33 million tonnes. As of 24 February, nearly 36 percent of the land has been harvested, yielding around 400,000 tonnes. Yields are typically lower in the early phase and increase later in the season. However, increased supply in the market has pushed down prices, leaving farmers facing losses.

Local growers said that instead of relief at the start of the new season, they are confronting deep frustration. Usually, the arrival of new potatoes at this time of year brings relatively favourable prices for farmers. This season, however, the situation is markedly different. A large stock of old potatoes remains in the market, sharply depressing prices for the new harvest, which is directly impacting farmers. New potatoes are currently selling at BDT 9–12 per kg at the wholesale level, exposing farmers to significant losses.

Md Firoz of Ashokola village in Bogura Sadar upazila said, “Last year, we couldn’t sell potatoes profitably due to losses. After spending BDT 18,000–20,000 per bigha (1 Bigha = 1338 Square Meter), we didn’t even recover half the cost. This year is the same. Prices are extremely low. I’ve been cultivating with loans for two years. My debt now stands at BDT 30,000.”

Potato trader Md Sadekur Rahman of the town said, “Last year, I bought around 200 sacks at BDT 11 per kg and stored them in cold storage. I hoped for profit. Including all costs, the price stood at BDT 19–20 per kg. In the open market, those potatoes are sold at BDT 16–18 per kg. Instead of profit, I incurred further losses. Currently, potatoes are retailing at BDT 20–25 per kg.”

According to agriculture officials, the production cost of early-season potatoes this year stands at around BDT 14–16 per kg. Yet farmers are forced to sell at BDT 9–12 per kg.

Agriculture officials added that despite various preservation efforts last year, prices did not increase. Bogura district has around 42 cold storage facilities with a combined capacity of roughly 450,000 tonnes. Nearly 40 percent of last year’s potatoes remain in storage. Farmers resumed cultivation while large volumes were still in cold storage, creating storage constraints and keeping prices subdued. Despite good yields, the lack of fair prices has left potato farmers disheartened.

On the overall situation, Faridur Rahman, sub-assistant agriculture officer at the Bogura DAE, told journalists, “Farmers in Bogura Sadar, Shibganj, Sonatala, and Kahaloo upazilas have started harvesting potatoes. Around 36 percent of the land has been harvested so far. Although acreage has declined, the yield obtained so far suggests the production target will be achieved.”