Joypurhat is known as the third-largest potato-producing district in the country. This season, farmers there are in serious trouble over seed. According to farmers, syndicate traders are selling seed at Tk 600 to Tk 1,000 per maund above the fixed price, depending on the type of potato. The traders are also selling fertiliser at higher prices, doubling farmers' cost of producing potatoes, and farmers are losing interest in the crop.

Atoar Hossain, a farmer in Helkunda village of Joypurhat Sadar upazila, told Jagonews24 that some dishonest traders had created an artificial shortage of seed potatoes before the season began. "Through this manipulation they are taking extra money from us," he said.

Affected farmers further alleged that although supply is adequate, most traders are not keeping seed potatoes in their shops and warehouses. Instead, they said, the traders are delivering seed potatoes to farmers from unknown places at Tk 1,500 to Tk 2,000 per maund above the fixed price.

Imran Ali, a farmer in Hajipara village of Kalai upazila, told Jagonews24 that he had to buy BRAC's potatoes at Tk 4,000 a sack, although the company price was Tk 3,000 to Tk 3,200. He also had to buy fertiliser at Tk 200–300 per sack above the fixed price.

Farmers said that apart from token fines by mobile courts, no effective action has been seen. Using the seed shortage as an excuse, seasonal traders are packing table potatoes in the packaging of various companies, and farmers fear being cheated by buying such low-quality seed.

Joypurhat district agricultural marketing officer Mehedi Hasan told Jagonews24 that they are monitoring the seed potato market with the help of the local administration. Several dealers have already been fined for overcharging, and monitoring is continuing, he said.

Rahela Parvin, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension, told Jagonews24 that demand for seed potatoes in the district this season is 20,000 tonnes more than the potato cultivation target. Aman harvesting and threshing are not yet finished, so potato planting has not started in full, she said.

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