Munshiganj potato farmers grapple price after bumper harvest

Munshiganj farmers harvest potatoes. UNB

By Nasir Uddin 

Munshiganj, Mar 23 -Despite achieving a bumper potato harvest this year, farmers in Srinagar upazila of Munshiganj district are facing severe financial losses due to low market prices. 

The situation has left many growers worried, particularly as storage constraints and transportation issues add to their woes.

Abundant Yield, Financial Struggles

This season, potato cultivation in Srinagar upazila has covered 1,950 hectares of land, with an estimated production of 58,500 metric tonnes. 

While the yield has been satisfactory, farmers are struggling to secure fair prices for their produce in the wholesale market.

Wholesale potato prices currently range between Tk 15-17 per kg, while retail prices vary from Tk 22-25 per kg. 

But, with the production cost per maund (approximately 37.32 kg) standing at Tk 800-900, many farmers find it difficult to sell their harvest without incurring losses.

One of the primary concerns among farmers is the unavailability of sufficient cold storage facilities. 

With only three operational cold storage units in the upazila, offering a combined storage capacity of 14,000 metric tonnes, many growers have been left with no option but to store their produce under the open sky. 

The looming threat of rain has further heightened their anxiety, as exposure to moisture could lead to spoilage.

Market Syndicates and Rising Costs

Farmers have alleged that market syndicates are exploiting the situation. 

They claim that while they were compelled to buy seeds and other agricultural inputs at inflated prices, the same syndicates are now driving down the market value of potatoes.

The cultivation cost for 140 decimals (approximately 1.4 acres) of land is estimated to be around Tk 3,75,000.

Though farmers had hoped to produce at least 400 maunds per 140 decimals, the actual yield has been closer to 350 maunds on average, making it even more difficult to achieve profitability.

Adding to their concerns, storage space in local cold storage facilities is being occupied by potatoes brought in from other districts. 

According to farmers, only a small portion of Atpara Cold Storage has been reserved for local growers, exacerbating the storage crisis.

Storage and Transportation Challenges

Among the three cold storages in Srinagar upazila, AN Khan Cold Storage in Sondharadia of Tantor has a capacity of 3,000 metric tonnes, Al-Amin Ice and Cold Storage in Chawkbazar has a capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes, and Srinagar Cold Storage in Atpara can store 6,000 metric tonnes of potatoes. 

Despite these facilities, a large number of farmers from eastern Srinagar, including Kukutia and Tantor, have been compelled to store their produce in cold storage units at Naopara Bazar in neighbouring Lohajang upazila.

Meanwhile, labour shortages during Ramadan and ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr have added to farmers’ struggles, as hiring workers has become increasingly difficult and expensive. 

Besides, the scarcity of bicycles and trolleys for transportation has made it even harder to move potatoes from remote areas to markets. 

Transporting potatoes to cold storage facilities via battery-operated easy bikes now costs Tk 50-70 per sack, depending on the distance. 

This year, local cold storage authorities have set a storage charge of Tk 300 per 50-kg sack.

Official Response

Srinagar Upazila Agriculture Officer, Mohsina Jahan Toron, acknowledged the challenges but emphasised the positive side of the season’s harvest.

"Favourable weather conditions have led to a promising potato yield this year," she said. 

She also said the upazila’s three operational cold storages have a combined capacity of 14,000 metric tonnes, with approximately 7,000 metric tonnes of potatoes stored so far.

A Season of Uncertainty

For potato farmers in Srinagar, this season has been a mix of success and struggle. 

While the bumper harvest should have been a cause for celebration, low prices, storage limitations, and transportation difficulties have turned it into a season of uncertainty. 

Many growers now face the difficult decision of whether to sell at a loss or risk their produce going to waste.

As the holy month of Ramadan progresses and Eid approaches, the demand for potatoes is expected to rise. 

But, unless market conditions improve and farmers receive better prices for their crops, the long-term sustainability of potato cultivation in the region remains in question. - UNB