Before winter has fully arrived, there is a rush to plant early potatoes in Nilphamari, as farmers dream of making up last year's losses and getting back on their feet. Once known as a district hit by monga (seasonal hunger), Nilphamari is now a transformed region where people are becoming self-reliant through hard work, and farming is undergoing a revolution.

Across the fields, preparations for early potatoes are in full swing. Some are ploughing, some spreading fertiliser and others planting seed potatoes, work that will continue until the end of October. Farmers hope these potatoes will fetch good prices if they reach the market early in the season.

Because the district's land is high and sandy, early potato growers have little fear of losses unless a major natural disaster strikes. Farmers hope that if potatoes are produced within 55-60 days early in the season, they will fetch a good price. If the weather is favourable, a kilogram of new potatoes may sell for Tk 60-80, and demand is high at that time. Big wholesalers from various Dhaka markets come and pay advances, and traders later buy the potatoes straight from the fields. At these prices, farmers could recover last year's losses and make a profit.

Abul Hossain Mia, a farmer of North Durakuti village in Bahagili union of the upazila, said he has planted early potato varieties on 40 bighas. Although he did not get a good price last year, he hopes to make a good profit if he can harvest early potatoes at the start of the season.

Firoz Ali, a farmer from the same village, said there is no fear of loss in early potato farming, and that the soil here suits potatoes, so the crop does well.

Monjur Rahman, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said: "Farmers were disappointed last season because potato prices were low. But this time they have harvested early rice and turned to potatoes. We are giving them various advice, and the weather is favourable. If they can bring early potatoes to market, they will get a good price."

He added that, as every year, early potatoes will be grown on about 8,000 hectares in the district this year, of which 6,660 hectares will be in Kishoreganj upazila alone.

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