RANGPUR: Farmers in the Rangpur agriculture region are preparing for an exceptional potato harvest this year, following favorable market prices last season. Early varieties of potatoes have already surfaced in local markets, fetching satisfactory prices. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set an ambitious target of producing an unprecedented 26,99,197 tonnes of potatoes from 1,01,576 hectares of land for the current Rabi season. Md Obaidur Rahman Mondal, Additional Director of the DAE's Rangpur region, reported that farmers have already cultivated potatoes on 95,970 hectares, which is 94.50 percent of the targeted area. Seed sowing will continue until January across the region's five districts: Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat. Farmers are actively harvesting early potato varieties, planted after the short-duration hybrid Aman rice was harvested in late October. The promise of lucrative prices and government assistance has sp urred interest in potato farming in both mainland and char areas. Quality seeds have been distributed by the DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute to ensure a successful farming season. Rahman highlighted the role of technology and government initiatives in supporting farmers, particularly in addressing challenges like potential cold waves. Farmers like Mohibur and Mofizar Rahman from Rangpur Sadar upazila have expressed optimism about their early potato crops. Ariful Haque, another local farmer, expressed contentment with current market prices for newly harvested potatoes. The local markets, such as Rangpur City Bazar Kitchen Market and Keranipara Kitchen Market, report that the supply of newly harvested potatoes is increasing, with prices ranging between Taka 70 and Taka 80 per kg for retail, and between Taka 50 and Taka 70 per kg at wholesale, depending on the quality and variety. Vegetable traders, including Hafizur Rahman and Fazlur Rahman, confirm that farmers are benefiting from the current market dynamics.
