Munshiganj:The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has announced a target to cultivate potatoes on 34,660 hectares of land in Munshiganj for the current season, maintaining the same target as the previous year.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the upazila-wise targets for potato cultivation are set at 9,581 hectares in Sadar, 9,070 hectares in Tongibari, 3,109 hectares in Louhajang, 8,958 hectares in Sirajdikhan, 1,998 hectares in Gazaria, and 1,944 hectares in Srinagar.
Farmers in the region predominantly grow the Diamond variety of potatoes, which, despite offering good yields, faces challenges such as limited market demand and storage issues. As a result, some farmers are opting to cultivate alternative crops like mustard, black cumin, carrots, and coriander. Azmir Hossain, a farmer from Adhara Union, mentioned that he plans to switch to growing beans, tomatoes, and mustard on higher land this season instead of potatoes.
DAE Deputy Director Dr. Md Habibur Rahman noted that improved potato varieties, such as Sunshine and Shantana, are available in the market at affordable prices. These varieties are suitable for making chips and other food products.
Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi has issued a warning to potato seed and fertiliser traders against overpricing and creating artificial shortages. She stated that violators would face legal consequences and risk losing their dealership licenses. Additionally, the authorities have set a maximum selling price of Tk 15,000 per packet of potato seeds.