The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Rangpur

Potato cultivation may not be achieved in 16 northern districts, including Rangpur-Dinajpur region, due to abnormal price hike of fertilizer and other agri-inputs this season.

Farmers said they achieved bumper production last season due to easy availability of fertilizers at reasonable prices. But this season the imported fertilizers DAP and DOP are being sold at exorbitant prices in the local markets which are beyond the purchasing capacity of the common growers.

They said at present per sack of DAP fertilizer is being sold at Tk 3,600 against the previous year's price of Tk 1,800, per sack DOP at Tk 2,200 against the previous price of Tk 1,500 while per sack urea at Tk 600 against the previous rate of Tk 300.

According to Department of Agricultural Extension, a scheme has been taken up to bring 2.50 lakh hectares of land under potato cultivation during the current season.

Of the total, some 1.77 lakh hectares will be cultivated in Rangpur-Dinajpur region.

The farmers said they cultivated potato on per acre at a total cost of Tk 45,000 last season but this year they apprehend that it will cost at least Tk one lakh. They also said many poor and marginal farmers gave up the idea to cultivate potato this season.

The growers urged the government to take immediate measures to reduce the prices of fertilizer so that they can cultivate potato as per the target.