The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE production of potato has increased over the years. Farmers are producing potato for augmenting income. They use quality seeds and fertiliser for cultivating potato in the autumn season. They produced around ninety lakh tons of potato in the current season. As reported around five lakh tons of potato remain unsold and the farmers are bearing the burden thereof.

The production cost of potato is estimated at around fifteen Taka per kilogram. The farmers naturally would want to sell their potato at a price that meets the cost of production and yields some profit. But the reported price at the farmers' level remains low and many farmers have failed to sell their potatoes. They have stored their potato in godowns. It is important to note that cold storages set up by private entrepreneurs at different locations are used by businessmen at fixed rates of charges, which seem to be unfavourable to farmers. Safe storage of tomatoes and other perishable farm products is thus not possible for them to avail. The official agencies should take supportive measures for ensuring the sale of farm products, at home and abroad. The sooner such measures are taken the better may be the outcome for the farmers and the people at large.

It is to be noted that the consumption of potato may increase. If the supply and use of potato is increased at large kitchens like those of the armed forces, the police, dormitories of academic institutions, the ultimate sale of potatoes and tomatoes and other perishable farm products may be augmented. The government may take a bailout plan for those farmers who cannot sell their potatoes by helping market those at competitive prices. The plan may comprise collection of the stockpiled potatoes from farmers for push sale.