Dhaka: Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced that Bangladesh has achieved a record production of 1.12 crore metric tons of potatoes this year, surpassing the national demand by approximately 22 lakh metric tons.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Lt Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd) highlighted the challenges faced by farmers due to the disparity between production costs and selling prices. In 2025, the production cost per kilogram of potatoes varies between Taka 14 and Taka 17, dependent on the region. However, when factoring in expenses such as storage, transportation, and labour, the cost at the cold storage gate reaches Taka 20-25 per kg. Despite this, farmers are forced to sell their produce at Taka 8-16 per kg, resulting in financial losses.
Addressing these concerns, the adviser requested the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association to extend the preservation of old potatoes, as a measure to aid farmers in recouping their losses. This appeal was made during his address as the chief guest at the inaugural Potato Festival, organized by the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association at the Bashundhara International Convention Centre.
Lt Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd) emphasized the necessity of preserving old potatoes, as new potatoes will take an additional 15 days to reach the market this year. Despite potential financial setbacks for storage owners due to increased electricity bills, the measure is intended to support farmers, considered the backbone of food production.
Furthermore, he urged relevant authorities to implement strategies to lower the production costs per kilogram of potatoes. He also pointed out that while Bangladesh's potato production is substantial, the country lags in processing capabilities, with only two percent of potatoes being processed. He advocated for prioritizing potato processing and selecting varieties suitable for this purpose.
The adviser also mentioned the importance of marking imported potato seed packets with prices to benefit farmers. On a related note, he addressed the surge in onion prices due to market manipulation, which led to a sudden increase of Taka 35 per kg. To stabilize prices, the government has allowed onion imports, which will persist until market prices fall to Taka 70-80 per kg.
The event saw participation from notable figures including Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian and Bangladesh Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr AK Fazlul Haque, alongside government and private sector officials, leaders from the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association, cold storage owners, potato farmers, and business leaders.