Adamdighi (Bogra) Correspondent :
Potato farmers in Adamdighi upazila of Bogra are facing severe challenges in storing their produce this season due to a shortage of cold storage slips. As potato harvesting reaches full swing, farmers are struggling to secure slips necessary for cold storage, leaving them vulnerable to price drops in the market.
Many farmers intended to store their produce to prevent losses and preserve seed potatoes for the next season. However, allegations have surfaced that hoarders and traders are monopolizing the storage slips, depriving genuine farmers of access. This has forced many farmers to sell their potatoes at significantly lower prices, causing substantial financial distress.
Currently, Adamdighi has only one cold storage facility with a capacity of 22,000 metric tons. Since potato cultivation in the upazila has exceeded expectations this season-covering over 3,500 hectares-there is a projected production of around 250,000 metric tons.
Due to the limited storage space, many farmers rely on cold storages in neighboring Dupchanchia upazila and Naogaon district, but the demand far outweighs the available facilities.
Hamidul Islam, a potato farmer from Upazila Sadar, expressed his frustration, stating that cold storage owners had allegedly pre-sold slips to traders and stockists, leaving real farmers without options. “We are unable to store our potatoes, and as a result, we are being forced to sell them at low prices,” he lamented.
In response to these allegations, Zafrul Alam, the manager of M/s BH Peshalides Cold Storage, clarified that 35% of the facility’s capacity is reserved for traders and stockists, while 65% is designated for farmers. However, he admitted that all available space has already been filled.
