Farmers in Bangladesh's northern district face challenges in preserving potatoes due to inadequate storage facilities, despite increased production this year. According to sources, only six cold storages are available, insufficient for the district's needs.
Farmers report obtaining booking cards but are unable to store their potatoes, often returning home with their produce. Allegations have surfaced that traders secured advance preservation cards by manipulating unscrupulous officers, storage employees, and brokers.
The Department of Agricultural Extension in Gaibandha noted that potatoes were cultivated on 14,497 hectares, surpassing the target of 12,250 hectares. The district's six cold storages can accommodate 52,760 tons, yet production reached 354,307 tons.
This storage shortfall forces farmers to sell potatoes at lower prices, incurring losses. Farmers observed increased storage fares this year, although the Cold Storage Association set the rate at approximately $0.05 per kg.
Farmers claim that storage authorities have already distributed preservation cards. If the shortage persists, they fear losing seedlings for the next season. Hemadri Cold Storage Manager Mozammel Haque stated that booking cards are exhausted and denied any black-market sales.
"This year, we are giving priority to local farmers," said Sajib, manager of Govindoganj Cold Storage.
Govindganj Upazila Executive Officer Syeda Yasmin Sultana commented, "Regular monitoring is being monitored so that farmers can save their potatoes in storage."
Source: The Financial Express