Govt sets Tk 22 min for potatoes
Business Report :
The interim government has recently announced a minimum price of Tk 22 per kilogram for potatoes at cold storage facilities, alongside plans to procure 50,000 metric tonnes for storage, which will be released for sale in October-November 2025. This initiative aims to stabilize the potato market and ensure fair returns for farmers, who have been facing mounting losses in recent months.
According to a media statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday, the decision comes in response to a growing disparity between production costs and prevailing market prices. In recent years, potato farmers have struggled as market rates frequently fell below the cost of cultivation, leaving many unable to cover expenses and discouraging investment in the sector. Reports of farmers selling potatoes at a loss became widespread, prompting concern at the highest levels of government.
To address the issue, the chief advisor formed a four-member review committee tasked with examining the potato market and recommending measures to protect farmers’ interests. The committee, headed by the agriculture secretary and including the commerce, food, and finance secretaries, conducted a detailed analysis of production costs, market trends, and storage capabilities.
Based on the committee’s findings, the government approved three major steps to support the sector. First, a minimum price of Tk 22 per kilogram will be enforced at cold storage gates, ensuring farmers receive adequate compensation for their produce. Second, the government will purchase 50,000 metric tonnes of potatoes to be stored and sold later in the harvest season, helping to balance supply and demand.
Third, incentives will be offered to potato farmers during the upcoming season to encourage cultivation and improve productivity.
The statement emphasized that the relevant ministries are coordinating to implement these measures promptly. This combined approach of price stabilization, government procurement, and farmer support is expected to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods while maintaining a steady supply of potatoes for the market in the months ahead.
