India: BADC promotes cultivation of export quality potatoes in Gopalganj

Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) has introduced the cultivation of export quality potatoes to local farmers in Gopalganj.

In November last year, farmers of Sadar and Kashiani upazila were provided quality potato seeds, fertilizers and pesticides along with relevant training where they were encouraged to plant export quality potatoes under the supervision of the BADC.

Owing to the favourable weather this season, farmers are now expecting an excellent harvest. These potatoes when exported to Malaysia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, will earn much valuable foreign exchange for the country and benefit the economy as well as the individual farmer, say officials.

Gopalganj BADC Deputy Director Dipankar Roy said farmers have cultivated export quality potatoes on 40 acres of land in Gopalganj. “Among them, potatoes have been planted in 10 acres of land in Barfa village under Sadar upazila and 30 acres of land in Amdanga village under Kashiani upazila.”

According to official data, farmers planted 20 acres of diamond, 10 acres of asterix and 10 acres of granola potatoes in Sadar and Kashiani upazila.

It is expected that around 10-11 tons of potatoes will be produced per acre. As such, more than 400 tons of potatoes will be produced in 40 acres. From the total production, BADC has set a target to sort and export 260 tons of potatoes.

Md Alimuzzaman, a farmer from Barfa village in Sadar upazila, said: “This year, I am cultivating export quality potatoes for the first time. BADC has provided us with quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Besides, they have provided us with training and assisted us in all kinds of ways.

“BADC officials often visit my field to see the quality of my potatoes. We are working day and night on the potato fields to produce quality potatoes.

“These potatoes need extra care. I will harvest my crops next week. Hopefully, I will get a good price in the market.”

Farmer Md Ohiduzzaman, from Amdanga, said: “It cost around Tk90,000 to produce per acre of export quality potatoes. Subsequently, at least 10 tons of potatoes can be harvested per acre. If we sell potatoes at an average price of Tk15 per kg then we can earn total revenue of Tk1.5 lakh. Minus the production cost, that leaves a profit of Tk60,000. Export quality potato is more profitable than the traditional variants.”