Bumper potato harvest, but prices crash in Joypurhat

Joypurhat Correspondent:

Potato prices are falling faster than farmers can harvest, turning a bumper crop into mounting losses across Joypurhat.

Golden potatoes are being harvested across Joypurhat’s fields, but despite a bumper crop, local farmers are reaping far less than expected. With prices continuing to drop, many face heavy financial losses, raising concerns over market instability and the lack of government support.

A field survey across the district shows that while farmers are harvesting potatoes, selling them barely covers production costs. This season, the cost of cultivating potatoes-including fertiliser, seeds, and labour-averages around BDT 30,000 per bigha, yet current market rates allow farmers to sell for only BDT 15,000-20,000 per bigha, resulting in losses of BDT 10,000-15,000 per bigha.

Local market sources report that white and stick variety potatoes are selling at only BDT 220-230 per maund, while Ganola varieties are priced at BDT 200-210 per maund. Farmers suspect syndicates or a lack of demand are behind the sudden price drop and call for government intervention to stabilise the market and support exports.

One farmer, Zainal Hossain, explained, “A few days ago, I sold one maund of potatoes for BDT 550. Now the same potatoes fetch only BDT 250-300. Prices are dropping by BDT 50-100 per maund every day. Where are we supposed to go?” Polu, Senior Vice President of the Joypurhat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged, “Providing low-interest loans to entrepreneurs could boost potato-based industries.” A.K.M. Sadikul Islam, Deputy Director of the District Agriculture Extension Office, noted, “Potatoes were cultivated on 39,300 hectares this year.