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Monday | September 21, 2026 | Dhaka

Farmers busy planting potato yield despite market uncertainty

 Joypurhat Correspondent
 Published: 12:02 AM, 21 September 2026  Updated: 11:26 PM, 20 September 2026

Farmers in Joypurhat have been busy planting early-variety potatoes in the hope of securing better market prices and higher profits, even as the agriculture department discourages the practice amid concerns over unfavourable weather and unsold stocks from last season.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a target has been set to cultivate early-variety potatoes on around 6,000 hectares of land in the district this season.

However, the agriculture department is discouraging early potato cultivation due to the risk of financial losses.

During visits to fields in Kalai, Khetlal and Joypurhat Sadar upazilas, farmers were seen ploughing land, applying fertilisers and carefully planting potato seeds.

Taking advantage of highland areas, farmers in different upazilas are now busy preparing fields, sowing seeds and tending crops.

Early potatoes are generally planted after the Aman paddy harvest or on highland areas free from waterlogging. The varieties can be harvested and marketed within 55 to 60 days.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Joypurhat Manju Alam Sarker said around 50 per cent of last year’s potato stocks still remained in the district’s 22 cold storage facilities.

The agriculture department is discouraging farmers from planting early-variety potatoes this season, as weather conditions are unfavourable and a substantial quantity of last year’s potatoes remains unsold in the district, he added.

Farmers suffered losses last year as they failed to get fair prices for their potatoes. High labour costs, cold storage charges and fertiliser prices, coupled with adverse weather conditions, further contributed to their losses.

Local farmers said potato prices often fail to meet their expectations during the peak season when market supplies increase.

However, early-variety potatoes enjoy strong consumer demand when they first arrive in the market and can be sold at comparatively higher prices.

As a result, despite somewhat higher production costs, farmers can potentially earn profits equivalent to twice their investment by selling early potatoes.

Hoping to reap such returns, farmers in the region have been expanding early potato cultivation every year.

The main early potato varieties cultivated in the region are Granola, Cardinal and local varieties.