RANGPUR, Mar 12: A bumper yield of potato has brought smiles on the faces of the growers under Rangpur region during the current season. Farmers are also getting good prices for the most popular vegetable.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), potato was cultivated on 91,921 hectares of land in five districts under Rangpur Agriculture region this season though DAE had a target to cultivate the crop on 88,836 hectares with a production target of 17,350,67 tonnes. The districts are Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat.
Harvesting of potato is going on in full swing across the region and the growers are much delighted with the output they have attained so far.
At present potato is being sold at Tk 1,050 to 1,100 per sack (85 kg) at different markets of the region which is expected to rise further.
While visiting different areas of the region this correspondent found farmers busy harvesting several varieties of potatoes.
Anisur Rahman, a potato grower of Santospur village under Balua Masimpur union at Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur told The Financial Express that he cultivated potato on 3 bighas of land and got 240 maunds. He spent around Tk 55,000 for its cultivation, he added.
Motin Mia of Char Nazirdaho under Kawnia upazila in Rangpur told the FE he got a net profit of Tk 20,000 by cultivating potato on one acre of land this season. "It was difficult for me to afford the expenses of my family by growing rice only; but potato and other vegetables farming is now giving me adequate profit to ease my financial constraints," he added.
"I can buy adequate fresh vegetables including potato from the markets of Rangpur at cheaper cost," said Saiful, a trader who came from Dhaka.
Due to higher demand and satisfactory prices of potato a number of farmers are selling the produce just after harvesting, instead of preserving it in the cold storages, sources informed.
According to DAE official sources, farmers have got a good yield of potato this season owing to congenial weather and availability of agri inputs.
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