BADC tests 17 new potato varieties amid campaign for food diversity

GOPALGANJ, March 2 (BSS): Agriculture scientists have said they successfully carried out test production of 17 new potato varieties in southwestern Gopalganj in industrial scale as experts found the staples export prospect for extra nutrition qualities.
Bangladesh Agricultural Deve-lopment Corporation (BADC) officials and farmers said currently the country produces only few potato verities while they expect the new varieties of bigger sizes could explore new export destinations because of their extra nutrient values and higher production compared to existing varieties.
"Seventeen new potato varieties are likely to contribute to make agriculture commercial and smart," BADC's Deputy Director of Gopalganj Potato Cold Storage Dipankar Roy said.
The newly developed potato varieties are - BADC potato 1 (Sunshine), BADC potato 7 (Queen ani), BADC potato 5 (Edison), BADC potato 8 (Labella), Rashida, Bari Alu 41, Seven Four Seven, Bari Alu 62, Fontaine, BADC Alu 3 (Santana), Aluite, BADC Alu 10 (Alkandar), Bari Alu 79, Diamond, Carolus, Bari Alu 40 and Asterix.
The new varieties of potatoes can be exported abroad. These potatoes suitable for industrial use and will be sold at a higher price. Every year, three million tonnes of surplus potatoes are produced in the country compared to the demand. If these potatoes are exported abroad, the demand for potatoes in the international market will increase.
Farmers will get fair price of potato from country market and farmers will benefit from good price of potato. This potato will contribute to making agriculture commercial and smart, said Dipankar Roy, Deputy Director of Gopalganj Potato Cold Storage of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation.
This new varieties of potato have high dry matter content. So, without importing potato powder from abroad, companies can make chips using this new types of potato in the country.
"It will be possible to create our potato market abroad especially in European market with this new potato. Europeans buy potatoes by color, size and shape. A new variety of potato has this quality. So the new type of potato market will be created in Europe" he added.
Potato is the staple food of various European countries. If these potatoes are exported there, "we will earn foreign currency. Last year our potatoes were exported to Russia and Europe and we will be able to send new varieties of potatoes to the countries," Dipankar Roy, Deputy Director of BADC said.
The trial of new varieties has been done successfully. There have been bumper yields of new varieties of potatoes, Project director of the 'Quality potato seed production and conservation and strengthening distribution at farmer level' Md. Abir Hossain said.
The new variety of potato has versatile uses and it is eligible for export. New varieties of potatoes have high dry matter content. So this potato will be used in industry and can be used for making-ready-to-eat chips, French fries, potato flakes, potato starch and other foods.
Farmers will get more than double production by cultivating new varieties of potatoes compared to conventional varieties. The variety of potatoes will be sold at a higher price. Farmers will benefit by selling potatoes at higher prices by getting more yield, Md. Abir Hossain said.