Madaripur, Mar 3 (UNB) – Potato growers of five districts in greater Faridpur region have been facing problems with their bumper production due to its low price in the local markets.

The growers said they are compelled to sell potato in the markets at throw away prices due to lack of cold storage facilities.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) some 3,426 hectares of land have been brought under the potato cultivation in the five districts  this season with a production target of 54,440 metric tons. But the farmers achieved bumper production this season.

Of the total land, 398 hectares have been brought under the potato cultivation in Madaripur district with output target of 6,567 mts while 2,057 hectares in Shariatpur district with the target of 33,941 mts, some 508 hectares in Faridpur with target of 8,382 mts, 338 hectares in Gopalganj with the target of 5,544 mts and 125 hectares in Rajbari with output target of 2,046 mts.          
                                                                             
Abdul Hamid, a potato grower at Kornopara village in Kalkini upazila of Madaripur district told UNB that they have to sell per kg potato at Tk 8/9 in the market against the production cost of Tk 10.  districts.

Deputy Director of the DAE M Rafiqul Islam informed that the growers in the five districts have achieved  bumper production of the potato due to favorable weather and availability of quality seeds.
He said there are only two small size cold storages in Madaripur and Faridpur districts and the farmers are facing problems with their bumper production.