CropsEarly potato planting has begun on harvested aman fields in Hakimpur (Hili), Dinajpur, with about 80 hectares planted so far in Khattamadhabpara, but seed that cost Tk 800 last year now costs Tk 1,200.
VegetablesThe potato season has begun in Ullapara, Sirajganj, with a target of 1,038 hectares this year; at the market, Romana seed potatoes are in greatest demand.
AgrotechThe mounted Croptiscan 3000 scans a 3 m strip at about 5 km/h, marks plants with Y-virus or leaf roll for removal and costs €95,000, against €175,000 for the self-propelled version.
VegetablesKishoreganj farmers are planting early potatoes as soon as the aman rice is cut; after last season's losses, cheap seed and good weather have them hoping to recover.
With Nilphamari receiving only 50-60 per cent of its 153 MW daily power demand, the district's 11 cold stores cannot hold temperature; some 77,000 tonnes of potatoes are at risk, including about 40,000 tonnes of seed potato for the coming season.
CropsAt the height of potato planting in December 2024, farmers in Rajshahi said dealers were charging up to Tk 450 a sack above the government price, citing low allocations, while good seed was scarce. The DAE said it would act at once on any complaint.
