The Bangladesh government has exported 5,8 tonnes of potatoes to Nepal through the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh. The potatoes were exported till Sunday (May 7) from January this year. The information was confirmed by the Quarantine Inspector of the Plant Continent Center at the Banglabandha Land Port, Ujjal Hossain. Generally, the stars and the Lio Rosetta varieties are gaining prominence in the export of potatoes.
It is learned that the price of potatoes in the market has dropped due to production higher than demand. Apart from this, the supply of potatoes in the market has increased as farmers are unable to keep all potatoes in the glacier. In such a situation, the farmers were forced to sell potatoes per kg for Rs. However, the cost of producing potatoes per kg of potatoes is Tk. Therefore, the government has taken initiative to stand beside the farmer through the export of potatoes in the country.
Statistics from the Department of Agriculture Extension say that the annual demand for potatoes in the country is about 1 lakh tonnes. In the fiscal year 2021-27, potato production in the country has been 6.75 lakh tonnes.
The Agricultural Marketing Officer deleted in this regard. Mualma Khanam said, “Now almost all the potatoes are cultivated in almost all the districts of the country. Potato production is a bit higher than demand in the country. In this situation there is no alternative to increase exports. The government of Bangladesh has taken steps to make the potato -free and safe. Local farmers are benefiting greatly in this initiative of exporting potato. The export value per ton is 12 to 5 US dollars. '
Local farmers are hopeful that such exports will ensure the exact price of potatoes produced by them. Concerned that the export of potatoes through the Banglabandha land port will have a positive impact on the local economy.
C&F agent Abdullah Al Mamun said the export potatoes were collected from Panchagarh, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur and sent to Kakarvita in Nepal.
Quarantine Inspector Ujjal Hossain of the Plant Starring Center of Banglabandha Land Port said, “So far 4 thousand 5 tonnes of potatoes have been exported to Nepal, whose market value is around Tk. Exporters apply online to get the required documents. When the exported potatoes entered the port yard, the samples were collected and sent to Nepal after the examination.
