High seed price frustrates potato growers in Gaibandha

Due to the high price of seeds this season, potato growers in Saghata upazila are gradually losing their interest in potato farming, sensing a probable loss.

As a result, the whole area is witnessing a drastic fall in potato cultivation this year.

This season, potato seed is selling for Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200 per maund, while the item was sold for Tk 750 to Tk 800 per maund the previous year.

On the other hand, price of potato remained almost unchanged at Tk 20 to Tk 22 per kilogram last year.

Meanwhile, price of other seasonal vegetables often shot up and even sometimes went beyond the purchase capacity of common people.

Farmer Saidur Rahman of Bajitnagar village in Saghata upazila, who was seen preparing his half bigha of land beside the Bangali river, said he cultivated potato on two bighas of land last year, but he could not start the farming in time due to a high price of potato seed this season.

Due to the delay, he opted for late variety of potato on only half bigha of land this season, Saidur said.

Hafizur Mia of Haldia village said growers of early variety potato even got Tk 60 per kilogram for the produce, but the price start falling within the next two weeks.

Now potato price has come down at Tk 25 to Tk 28 per kilogram, he said.

The price of potato will fall further when the full harvest starts in the next two weeks, he added.

Many farmers in the area said growers did not take risk of loss by cultivating potato on vast tracts of land this year, instead they are cultivating the item on limited areas, mainly for family purpose.

They fear that the total production may not cover the input cost, let alone the high price of potato seed, farmers said.

Saghata Upazila Agriculture Officer Moniruzzaman said cultivation of potato is decreasing gradually as there is no scope of exporting the item.

Besides, due to low price in local markets, potato growers are less interested in preserving their potato in cold storages.