Govt to allow limited potato import ahead of Ramadan
Monday, 23 July 2007
Doulot Akter Mala
The government has taken a decision to allow limited import of potato to ensure adequate supply and rein in the prices, ahead of the month of Ramadan.
"Importers selected by the BDR will only be allowed to import potato from India between July 15 and September 14," a senior agriculture ministry officer told the FE Sunday.
The agriculture ministry recently took the decision at a meeting chaired by Agriculture adviser CS Karim.
Sources said the upward trend of potato prices has worried the local consumers who fear that it might go beyond the reach of low-income people by the time Ramadan sets in.
"In order to rein in the prices of potato in Ramadan, the government has taken the decision to import 20,000 tonnes of potatoes initially," official said.
The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), involved in the government initiative for selling essential commodities through open markets, recommended import of potatoes from India for supplying it at reasonable prices.
The government's time-frame for import of potato will not affect the local farmers as potato harvesting season will start from October, he added.
The government has restricted hoarding of imported potatoes in cold storages and also imposed bar on using those as seeds, he added.
The BDR will market the imported potatoes under its own management and will receive the consignments from the port of entry.
This year, the country faces about 1.0 million tonnes of shortfall in potato production, agriculture ministry sources said.
Usually, the country's annual consumption of potato is nearly 5.0 million tonnes.
The potatoes are selling Tk 22 per kg at retail market in the city.
Recently, the government, in a meeting, discussed about the state of demand, production and import of as many as 12 essential items of which only potato is not being imported.
The government has taken a decision to allow limited import of potato to ensure adequate supply and rein in the prices, ahead of the month of Ramadan.
"Importers selected by the BDR will only be allowed to import potato from India between July 15 and September 14," a senior agriculture ministry officer told the FE Sunday.
The agriculture ministry recently took the decision at a meeting chaired by Agriculture adviser CS Karim.
Sources said the upward trend of potato prices has worried the local consumers who fear that it might go beyond the reach of low-income people by the time Ramadan sets in.
"In order to rein in the prices of potato in Ramadan, the government has taken the decision to import 20,000 tonnes of potatoes initially," official said.
The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), involved in the government initiative for selling essential commodities through open markets, recommended import of potatoes from India for supplying it at reasonable prices.
The government's time-frame for import of potato will not affect the local farmers as potato harvesting season will start from October, he added.
The government has restricted hoarding of imported potatoes in cold storages and also imposed bar on using those as seeds, he added.
The BDR will market the imported potatoes under its own management and will receive the consignments from the port of entry.
This year, the country faces about 1.0 million tonnes of shortfall in potato production, agriculture ministry sources said.
Usually, the country's annual consumption of potato is nearly 5.0 million tonnes.
The potatoes are selling Tk 22 per kg at retail market in the city.
Recently, the government, in a meeting, discussed about the state of demand, production and import of as many as 12 essential items of which only potato is not being imported.