Sherpur Correspondent

Farmers in Sherpur are now commercially cultivating sweet potatoes and exporting them abroad, with the root vegetable grown in the char (riverine island) areas of the district going to Japan.

A Japanese company is directly purchasing these sweet potatoes from the fields, and the attractive pricing has led to a growing interest among farmers to increase production.

Once considered a staple for the poor, sweet potatoes have now become a commercially viable export crop.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension office, while the target for sweet potato cultivation in Sherpur this season was 205 hectares, the actual cultivation spanned 212 hectares.

Hearing about the export potential and profitability, farmers’ interest in growing sweet potatoes has significantly increased.

For the past few years, a Japanese company’s interest has driven the commercial cultivation of sweet potatoes in the char regions.

This year, Naruto Japan Company Limited signed agreements with 43 farmers in areas like Bolaier Char, Char Mocharia, and Kamarer Char in Sherpur Sadar upazila for sweet potato cultivation.

Under the agreement, the farmers cultivated the Kokoi-14 variety of sweet potatoes across 90 acres of land.

The company provided all necessary supplies, including seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, free of charge.

After production, the company will purchase the entire harvest directly from the fields. While last year’s purchase price was Tk580 per maund, this year it has been increased to Tk650.

Khorshed Alam, a farmer from Jungledi Nayapara village in Bolaier Char union, said the yield per acre ranges from 250 to 300 maunds, which can fetch up to Tk1.5 lakh to Tk2 lakh.

Apart from labour costs for care and harvesting, there are no additional expenses for the farmers.

Meanwhile, farmer Rafique Mia said sweet potatoes are usually planted in November-December, and the harvest can be collected from mid-February to early March.

Another farmer, Komed Ali, mentioned that he cultivated sweet potatoes on one acre last year, earning a profit of Tk40,000 after expenses.

This year, with the increased price offered by the company, he expects higher profits.

Naruto Japan’s field officer for Sherpur-Jamalpur, Md Zakaria, said the company processes the sweet potatoes into boiled products, chips, and sweets, which are then sold in Japan, Thailand, and other countries.

Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension, said the soil in Sherpur’s char regions is highly suitable for sweet potato cultivation.

Processed food items made from these sweet potatoes are exported to Japan and also sold in local supermarkets, he said, adding that unlike other sweet potato varieties, the Kokoi-14 can be consumed with its skin.

The Japanese package these sweet potatoes as boiled cakes and sell them, the official said.