Tackling overproduction of potatoes

It appeared farmers overproduced potatoes last year hoping to get a good return. But a quantity of the overproduced potatoes--some 1.0 million tons are in danger of getting rotten as there is now no way to fast unload them from cold storages for sale to buyers in view of existing market supply matching demand. The potatoes in the storages seem germinating and very soon these will either rot or have to be thrown away to provide space for the new cultivated potatoes that would start arriving soon. This year's production of potatoes has also been a bumper one. But without cold storage facilities, farmers are facing a great crisis. This situation is not a novel one. It has been noted in the last couple of years but to a lesser degree. The problem has reached its peak from complete unconcern by those who should have been concerned. First of all, businesses which buy up potatoes from contracted producers, should have contracted for reduced quantities after realistically estimating market demand. The government's department of agricultural extension with its networks spread all over the country should have urged such contracted buyers and the farmers not to go for higher production. Thus, the present misery of a section of potato businessmen is linked to their own basic lack of foresight as well as non-existent governmental policies. So, what to do urgently to minimise the consequences of this overproduction as well as keeping incentives from not dropping drastically that would lead to underproduction and scarcity in the next year and beyond? First, government can go for emergency buying of potatoes at reasonable prices from businesses that have stocks in the cold storages. Doing this will ease the tight position of both businessmen in this sector and cold storage operators. Secondly, government can immediately attempt direct export of potatoes as much as possible. Thirdly, trucks that now sell OMS rice at subsidised prices can carry some quantities of potatoes also and sell the same to the poor at below market prices. This would need to be boosted by publicities that eating a balanced meal of rice with potato is a good dietary habit and also means a saving in terms of costs. As part of longer term policies, government should extend maximum concessions to food industries that would make value-added products from potatoes such as chips, french fries, etc., for both home and foreign markets. Aftab Ahmed Banani, Dhaka Shakib deserves kudos The Royal Bengal Tiger is world famous. The logo of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has the Royal Bengal Tiger. Hence the cricketers of Bangladesh are known as "Tigers" in the cricketing world. Unfortunately, the recent performance of Bangladesh cricket team was not satisfactory. Pakistan, the formidable cricketing nation of the world, came to Bangladesh and like the Roman general and statesman, Julius Caesar, declared veni, vidi, vici, which means I came, I saw and I conquered! Individuals don't win, but teams do. So, batting, bowling and fielding, all the three branches of cricket should be tuned equally. The lack of total cricket performance of local boys was perceptible in the recent Pakistan versus Bangladesh series. Nonetheless, some miracles occurred! Shakib Al Hasan, the golden son of the nation, emerged with the title of the Top All Rounder in both Test and ODI cricket in the world. Impressive indeed! Shakib, the former cricket captain of Bangladesh, left-handed batsman and slow left arm bowler reached the 404 rating points in the Test and the 420 rating points in the ODI and became the world's number one All Rounder. Shakib deserves a Presidential Medal for his outstanding achievements in international cricket. World famous American athletes, Jesse Owens and Muhammad Ali, among others, were honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the USA. Iftu Ahmed Aurora, IL, USA Email: Iftu Ahmediftuahmed@sbcglobal.net