The potato growers in Dupchanchia upazila of Bogra district have become frustrated due to low prices though the vegetable has grown abundantly this year. The farmers in six unions of Duchanchia upazilas under the district are struggling hard to recoup the production cost as the potatoes are selling at cheap rate in the local markets. Upzila agricultural officer Md. Tahirul Islam said a total of 520 hectares of land in six unions of the upazila have were brought under potato cultivation this season. The farmers, who cultivated potato instead of other vegetables, said “We had cultivated potato on vast tracts of land this season in the hope of reaping satisfactory profit. But poor prices have dashed our hopes.” Financial hardship is forcing many potato growers to sell their produce at cheap rate as they have to collect money to meet daily necessities. “If the prices do not go up soon, we’ll have to count huge losses. We’ll also lose interest in potato cultivation next season.” said a farmer. “Currently, potato is selling at Tk.320 to Tk.450 per maund in the local markets as the customers are not buying it in high price,” said a farmer Rahim of Gobindapur village. A farmer named Abdul Awal of Singra village in Dupchanchia upazila, said. “I failed to recoup the production cost as the prices fell sharply. Many farmers here suffered huge financial losses.” “They have already decided not to cultivate the crop next year as their dreams have been shattered this year,” added. DAE Deputy Director Bazlur Rashid said, “Farmers have achieved bumper potato yield this season because of favourable weather conditions. But they are incurring losses as the price fell sharply in the local markets.” -Our Correspondent
