New potato varieties promoted

Sr.Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :
The government has made a move to increase both production and export of potato at full length with an eye to ensuring fair prices . Agriculture scientists have said they had successfully carried out test production of 17 new potato varieties in Kishoreganj in industrial scale as experts found the staples export prospect for extra nutrition qualities.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and Agriculture Extention Officials and farmers said that, currently the country produces only few potato verities while they expect the new varieties of bigger sizes could explore new export destinations because of their extra nutrient values and higher production compared to existing varieties.
“Seventeen new potato varieties are likely to contribute to make agriculture commercial and smart,” BADC’s Joint Director of Quality, Control Khairul Hasan said.
The newly developed potato varieties are – BADC potato 1 (Sunshine), BADC potato 7 (Queen ani), BADC potato 5 (Edison), BADC potato 8 (Labella), Rashida, Bari Alu 41, Seven Four Seven, Bari Alu 62, Fontaine, BADC Alu 3 (Santana), Aluite, BADC Alu 10 (Alkandar), Bari Alu 79, Diamond, Carolus, Bari Alu 40 and Asterix.
The new varieties of potatoes can be exported abroad. These potatoes suitable for industrial use and will be sold at a higher price. Every year, three million tonnes of surplus potatoes are produced in the country compared to the demand. If these potatoes are exported abroad, the demand for potatoes in the international market will increase.