Potato growers lament lack of cold storages in Rangpur
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Our correspondent
RANGUR Apr 5: Potato growers in eight districts of Rangpur division are facing serious problem in preserving their produce owing to shortage of cold storages.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), a total of 31,32,500 tonnes of potato was produced in 1,70,700 hectares of land in Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts.
DAE source said there are 62 cold storages in the region with the preservation capacity of 4,72,000 tonnes, which is quite insufficient for the large quantity of potato produced in the region this season.
Failing to ensure preservation of the potato harvest in cold storages, growers are being compelled either to sell their produce at lower rate or take it back home.
Anisur Rahman (45), a potato grower of Mithapukur Upzila under Rangpur district said hoarders are getting priority from the cold storage facility owners, which has created serious problem for the poor growers.
Many potato farmers said as the capacity of the cold storages was not adequate, government should take steps to help preserve their produces.
Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, owner of a cold storage said some cold storages should be set up in the region at government initiative as the private cold storages have limited capacity.
RANGUR Apr 5: Potato growers in eight districts of Rangpur division are facing serious problem in preserving their produce owing to shortage of cold storages.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), a total of 31,32,500 tonnes of potato was produced in 1,70,700 hectares of land in Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts.
DAE source said there are 62 cold storages in the region with the preservation capacity of 4,72,000 tonnes, which is quite insufficient for the large quantity of potato produced in the region this season.
Failing to ensure preservation of the potato harvest in cold storages, growers are being compelled either to sell their produce at lower rate or take it back home.
Anisur Rahman (45), a potato grower of Mithapukur Upzila under Rangpur district said hoarders are getting priority from the cold storage facility owners, which has created serious problem for the poor growers.
Many potato farmers said as the capacity of the cold storages was not adequate, government should take steps to help preserve their produces.
Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, owner of a cold storage said some cold storages should be set up in the region at government initiative as the private cold storages have limited capacity.