In the Sylhet and Moulvibazar haor areas, farmers have adopted scientific farming techniques to cultivate high-yielding potato varieties, significantly impacting their economic conditions. Among 106 potato varieties in Bangladesh, only 18 to 21 are considered high-yielding. Habibur Rahman Jalal, a notable agricultural entrepreneur from Giasnagar village in Moulvibazar Sadar, has successfully cultivated 21 different potato varieties. Jalal's farm showcases a diverse range of potatoes, each variety marked with a signboard.
With the support of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and the Akbarpur Regional Agricultural Research Centre, Jalal expanded his potato cultivation, growing a mix of new and old varieties. Despite initial weather challenges, Jalal achieved a satisfactory yield.
The Agricultural Research Centre provided 18 of the 21 potato varieties Jalal planted, including notable ones like Bari-25 (Asterix) and Bari-78. Regular maintenance, including fertilization, was crucial for the crop's success, though unexpected rain led to some losses. Yet, the new varieties significantly outperformed local ones in yield, despite higher production costs due to weather-induced pest issues.
Source: businesspostbd.com