Potato production unstable for over a decade: Agriculture adviser

The country's potato production has remained unstable for over a decade, with repeated surpluses and shortages causing losses for farmers, traders, and cold storage operators, Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, adviser to the ministries of agriculture and home affairs, said yesterday (12 December).

"In 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2017, potato production exceeded national demand, leading to heavy losses for farmers and storage owners. As a result, production fell short of demand in 2023 and 2024, and cold storages operated 20–25% below capacity," he said at the inauguration of the country's first-ever international potato exhibition at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB).

"The accumulated losses discouraged farmers, reducing cultivation in later years," he added.

Agricultural analysts say the volatility is also linked to weak forecasting and poor coordination among government agencies responsible for agricultural market oversight, including the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), and the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit.

According to a recent TBS report, last season, farmers cultivated potatoes on about 10% more land than the official target, pushing output nearly 25 lakh tonnes above national demand and triggering an early-season price slump. Despite the surplus, no timely measures were taken by relevant agencies, including the Directorate of Food and the commerce ministry's market monitoring wing, to stabilise prices or guide farmers on production and release of stocks.

The two-day exhibition, bringing together farmers, cold-chain operators, researchers, and agribusiness firms to discuss challenges and opportunities in one of Bangladesh's most significant crops, was organised by the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA).

The agriculture adviser said the shortfall in 2023 and 2024 pushed retail prices to record highs, with potatoes selling for up to Tk60 per kg in 2023 and Tk80 per kg in 2024.

Emphasising that ensuring fair prices for farmers remains a government priority, he said, "We could not achieve that this year, but we are committed to reversing this situation in the coming years."

Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said the government is preparing a 25-year strategic plan for the crop sector, including potatoes, to enhance production stability and strengthen value chains.

"We will be able to share more details next month," he noted.

Experts at the festival said potato demand is steadily rising due to population growth, food processing expansion, and new export opportunities in markets such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East.

However, unstable production, ageing cold storage infrastructure, and limited processing capacity continue to limit the sector's growth potential.

Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel highlighted the scope for collaboration in modern farming, storage efficiency, and value addition, areas where Dutch agritech companies have a strong global presence.

This year's festival features 66 organisations from home and abroad, showcasing innovations in climate-resilient potato varieties, cold storage technology, processing machinery, export solutions, and potato-based food products.

The event includes international B2B meetings and two expert-led panel discussions focusing on increasing domestic consumption, boosting exports, and improving value addition.

Around 500 farmers from different districts are participating, with 10 exceptional growers set to be honoured on the closing day, BCSA President Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said.

Organised with Postmaster Communication as the event partner, the exhibition concludes today.