Photo : Messenger
Farmers in Bogura district have embraced the cultivation of early varieties of potatoes this season, in a response to mitigate the loss of Aman paddy. The current high market prices for potatoes have motivated farmers to anticipate good returns by producing early potato varieties. Across various upazilas in Elakshya district, farmers are actively engaged in planting potatoes, covering a total of 48,635 hectares of land.
Bogura, recognized as the primary agricultural district in the northern region, is witnessing heightened farming activities. The district's farmers are capitalizing on the increased market price of potatoes by dedicating substantial effort to potato cultivation.
In specific areas of Nandigram upazila, including Ridhail, Katham, Dohar, Teghri, Pauta, and Bhatgram, farmers are focusing on early varieties such as Bina-7 and 49. Having previously cultivated these early varieties of Aman paddy, farmers are now channeling their efforts into planting early potatoes. The preparation of land and application of fertilizers are underway as farmers plant native and advanced potato varieties like diamond, pakri, kajallata, and cardilal. Officials from the agriculture department and local farmers assert that the cultivation and marketing of diamond potatoes can be achieved within 70-75 days.
The Nandigram Upazila Agriculture Office has set a target of cultivating potatoes on 3,000 hectares of land in the current season. However, expectations suggest that the actual cultivation area will surpass this target, reflecting the strong inclination of farmers towards potato cultivation.
Early varieties of potato are already being sown, and the agriculture department is advising farmers to obtain high-quality seeds, use a balanced mix of chemicals and organic fertilizers, and undergo various training programs on potato and vegetable cultivation. These measures aim to ensure a high yield in the current season.
A farmer named Saju from Pouta village in No. 1 Buril Union highlights the prevailing preference for potato cultivation among farmers due to the region's conducive soil conditions. Saju reports a significant profit from cultivating potatoes immediately after harvesting paddy. This season, he has planted the diamond variety of potatoes on a 20-bigha land.
Adnan Babu, the Nandigram Upazila Agriculture Officer, emphasizes that the land where potatoes are being planted can be harvested and sold in the market within 70-75 days. The early-season demand for new potatoes contributes to the already high prices in the market, prompting farmers to gravitate towards early potato cultivation. The agriculture department is actively providing advice to farmers at the field level.
Sohel Md Shamshuddin Feroz, Deputy Director of the Bogura Agricultural Extension Department Regional Office, notes the district's long-standing tradition of potato cultivation to secure favorable yields and prices. Despite a target of 55,250 hectares for potato planting in the current season, the district has already seen potatoes planted in 48,635 hectares of land, indicating a potential surpassing of the seasonal target.
Messenger/Alamgir/Shahin
