The potato harvest is in full swing across the fields, but the farmers of Joypurhat are not smiling. Despite good yields, they are at a loss because they are not getting fair prices. Potato prices keep falling by the day, and at current rates farmers are losing large sums on every bigha, let alone covering production costs. The agriculture department is also worried by the unstable prices.

A tour of fields across the district showed farmers digging potatoes but sighing when it came to selling them. According to farmers, fertiliser, seed and labour this season cost about Tk 30,000 a bigha. At current market prices, the potatoes from a bigha are selling for only Tk 15,000 to 20,000, a loss of Tk 10,000 to 15,000 a bigha.

Local markets show white potatoes and the Sritik variety selling for only Tk 220 to 230 a maund, and the Granola variety for Tk 200 to 210. Whether the cause of the sudden fall is a syndicate or a lack of demand, farmers are angry. They say that if potatoes could be exported through government channels, they would not face such a disaster.

Farmer Joynal Hossain, who came to sell potatoes in the field, said angrily: "Only a few days ago I sold a maund of potatoes for Tk 550. Now the same potatoes are down to Tk 250 to 300. The price is falling by Tk 50 to 100 a maund every day in the market. Where do we farmers go now?"

Farmer Saiful Islam and others told Jagonews24: "The present government must think of small farmers and take quick, firm steps to control the potato market."

Shams Matin, vice-president of the Joypurhat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Jagonews24: "If the government arranges loans for traders on easy terms and at low interest, many entrepreneurs will emerge here. That will make it easier to export potatoes, and farmers will be saved from losses."

AKM Sadikul Islam, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), told Jagonews24: "Potatoes have been grown on 39,300 hectares in the district this year. Potato-based industries could be set up in the district. That would create jobs and let farmers get a fair price for their potatoes, and the government would also earn a large amount of revenue."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.