Home and Agriculture Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Rtd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the government is considering marketing of potato through open market sale (OMS), reports BSS.
"The farmers have produced a huge quantity of potato this year...They will lose their interest in producing more potato next year, if they don't get fair prices of their produce."
The adviser said these while briefing media after attending the monthly coordination meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture at Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital on Monday.
He said the people are able to buy onion at low prices this year, as its production is higher than the previous years. But, there was lack of adequate cold storage to preserve it.
The government has already built 100 mini cold storages in the country despite many limitations - for preserving green vegetables. More cold storages would be constructed in different areas for preserving agricultural goods.
He alleged that the previous governments have misappropriated public money in the name of purchasing agricultural instruments. The country has sufficient fertiliser in stock to meet the national demand until November, and there is no immediate risk of shortage, the adviser noted.
The government has already signed agreements with Malaysia to ensure continued fertiliser import, and is also exploring other cost-effective sources to strengthen supply.
He noted that the government initially faced difficulties in repaying fertiliser bills, but the situation has now stabilised.
Addressing irregularities in fertiliser distribution, the adviser announced that dealership licences obtained through political favouritism would be cancelled. A revised policy is being introduced to ensure transparency and prevent future abuse.
As part of the government's flood rehabilitation efforts, he said vegetable seeds are being distributed in several flood-affected districts. Additionally, nearly 3.3 million saplings of various tree species were distributed across the country.
