During this time, the fields have become busy with farmers and laborers. The influx of traders has also increased. Additionally, favorable weather has resulted in a bumper potato crop. Farmers are pleased with the good prices.
Kishoreganj is an overlooked sub-district. For several years, farmers in this area have been cultivating early varieties of potatoes and making a profit. This year, due to favorable weather conditions, there has been a bumper yield of potatoes. The farmers in this sub-district, especially in the small and marginal areas, sow potato seeds with the hope of harvesting early and entering the market. Currently, harvesting of these early variety potatoes is underway, and traders are transporting them by trucks to various places, including the capital Dhaka, where they are selling for 80 taka per kilogram.
Upon observation, it can be seen that in areas like Bahagili, Chandkhana, Garagram, Nitai, and Probhriti, people are digging, sorting, and packing potatoes in the fields. Some are loading vans, trolleys, and trucks in the midst of the fields. Scenes of potato harvesting can be seen across the extensive fields of the sub-district.
Farmer Nurul Alim of Kuthipara village of Ronchandi union of the upazila said I sold potatoes at the rate of Tk 80 per kg. It has double the profit minus the cost. In just 65 days, I have profited by picking up this early variety of potatoes and marketing them.
Hazrat Ali of the same village is harvesting early potatoes in 62-century land. Hazrat Ali said, as usual, on September 15 this year, we are picking early potatoes that can be harvested in 60 to 65 days.
Early potato farmers complained that new potatoes were being imported from India. It is important to stop it. Besides, if the strike blockade continues, the price of potatoes will collapse in advance. In this, the potato farmers will face losses if they do not get the price for the early potato cultivation in about 8 thousand hectares in this district.
Anwar Hossain, a wholesale buyer of potatoes, said that early varieties of potatoes have started appearing in the market. These potatoes are being supplied to different places in the country including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chittagong, Barisal, and Khulna. Raw market value cannot be accurately stated. After a week, the price of potatoes may increase or decrease again.
Kishoreganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Lokman Alam said that this year, the target of early potato cultivation has been set on 6,700 hectares of land in this upazila. Out of this, 4,600 hectares are planted with early potatoes. New potatoes have started appearing in the market. A bumper crop of potatoes has been produced this year due to favorable weather conditions. Farmer families are also happy to get high prices. The people of this region are changing their fortunes by cultivating early potatoes and early rice.
