Potato is no longer just a common winter vegetable on the agricultural map of Bangladesh, but it is one of the main pillars of national food security and the lifeblood of the rural economy. The silent revolution that has taken place in potato production in the country in the past few decades is an amazing example in the history of world agriculture. Once a country that had a potato crisis, Bangladesh has now proudly taken its place in the list of the top ten potato producing countries in the world. The ‘white gold’ that our farmers are extracting from the soil every year with their hard work and talent has not only met the nutritional needs of the people of the country, but has also opened up a new potential for the agricultural sector. However, behind this festival of production lies a deep cry and the extreme weakness of the marketing system. Even after bumper harvests every year, potato farmers are not wiping their tears. And this is where the question arises, is this huge production an asset or a burden for us? In the current reality, it is clear that sustainable development of potato cultivation is not possible by simply increasing production. If we want to see real economic benefits from this sector and a smile on the faces of farmers, then we need to move away from traditional marketing and focus on exporting to the international market and modern agro-processing industries with full force.
According to the information and various statistics of the Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture, the annual production of potatoes in the country has now exceeded 11 million metric tons. While our annual domestic demand is about 80 to 85 million tons. That is, every year we are left with 20 to 25 million metric tons of surplus potatoes. When this surplus production cannot be properly stored or marketed, the market collapses. We often see in the newspapers that farmers are unable to pay the rent of cold storage by selling potatoes. In many cases, potatoes are thrown on the streets to protest. The main reason for this tragedy is the lack of an integrated and modern marketing structure. We have learned to produce, but we are far behind in the business and industrialization process of converting that production into wealth. If this bumper crop of potatoes is to be converted into a blessing, then export must be considered a national priority.
Although Bangladeshi potatoes have huge potential in the international market, our export earnings are still negligible compared to expectations. There is a demand for our potatoes in countries like the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore. Even Bangladeshi potatoes have the opportunity to enter a large market like Russia. But the main obstacle here is the phytosanitary or plant quarantine certificate and the quality of the potatoes. Certain standards have to be followed for exporting potatoes to the global market. Most of the potato varieties produced in our country are mainly popular for cooking or as table potatoes. But for export to the international market, disease-free, well-shaped and long-lasting potatoes are needed. In addition, the varieties needed for making chips or French fries are not yet cultivated in our country. For this, joint initiatives at the government and private levels are required. Agricultural research institutions should develop varieties and make them available to farmers that are directly compatible with the needs of the world market. In addition, it is important to ensure ‘Good Agricultural Practice’ (GAP). If we control the use of chemical fertilizers at every stage of cultivation and develop modern post-harvest management, our potatoes will start to triumph in markets with strict standards like the European Union.
In addition to exports, the establishment of a versatile potato use and processing industry will be a game changer in this sector. A large portion of the potatoes produced in the developed world are processed into various food products. If we see potatoes only as an ingredient in curry, its commercial value will be limited. But when potatoes are converted into French fries, potato flakes, starch or chips, its financial value increases several times. Due to the increasing urbanization and changes in lifestyle in Bangladesh, the processed food market is growing rapidly. Currently, we are dependent on imports in many cases for chips or potato starch. However, a large amount of potatoes are being produced in the country. If sufficient starch factories and chips manufacturing plants can be established in the country at the small and medium level, on the one hand, import costs will be reduced, and on the other hand, the wastage of this perishable product will come down to zero. This will not only ensure the price of the farmer, but also create employment opportunities for thousands of unemployed youth in rural areas. This is the biggest opportunity to strengthen the rural economy through agro-based industrialization.
Another major crisis in potato cultivation is the problem of storage facilities or cold storage. The number of cold storage facilities in the country is not only insufficient in terms of quantity, but also outdated in terms of quality. Most of the cold storage facilities are suitable only for eating potatoes. But the specialized temperature and humidity control system required for storing seed potatoes or potatoes suitable for processing is clearly lacking. Besides, the ownership and control of cold storage facilities are mainly in the hands of big businessmen. As a result, when the price of potatoes is low during the season, marginal farmers are forced to sell potatoes to the farmers at low prices. If the government could have established agriculturally friendly government cold storage facilities on a cooperative basis or at the upazila level, farmers could have directly stored their products there and released them in the market on time. This would have reduced the oppression of middlemen and the farmers would have got a fair share of their crops. Private investment in the construction of modern ‘multipurpose cold storage’ This infrastructure crisis can be overcome by providing tax concessions or easy loans to farmers.
The shortage and high price of seed potatoes are a major headache for potato farmers. Every year, farmers are seen crying out for quality seeds during the planting season. Although BADC meets a part of the demand, a large part depends on private importers and local seeds. Many times, unscrupulous syndicates create an artificial shortage of seeds and cut into the pockets of farmers. Incidents of crop failure due to low quality seeds are not rare. To get rid of this situation, there is no option but to become self-sufficient in seed production. High quality virus-containing seeds should be produced through tissue culture technology and made available to farmers at the union level at affordable prices. If farmers are trained and financially supported in seed production, they will be able to supply their own seeds, which will reduce the cost of production.
Potatoes are mainly a vegetable in the diet of the common people of our country. But to reduce the increasing population of the country and excessive pressure on rice, it is necessary to popularize potatoes as an alternative to rice. Potatoes are much more nutritious than rice and contain essential vitamins and minerals in addition to carbohydrates. If the versatile use of potatoes can be included in the diet through government propaganda, domestic demand will increase and food security will be strengthened. However, protecting the interests of farmers must be at the core of all plans. It is very important to make agriculture-friendly loans easily available and to bring farmers under the insurance cover during natural disasters. Modern technologies such as pest control with drones, soil testing and the application of digital marketing systems will make potato farming smarter and more profitable.
In conclusion, it can be said that the potato farmers of Bangladesh have given the highest proof of their capabilities in the field yield. Now the ball is in the court of policymakers and investors. Potatoes should not be seen as just a perishable agricultural product, but should be considered as a powerful ‘industrial raw material’ and ‘export product’. Where our neighboring countries are earning billions of dollars by exporting potatoes, there is no logical reason for us to lag behind. With proper planning, international market connectivity and development of the processing industry, potato can become the second ‘garment sector’ of Bangladesh. The need of the hour is to transform this revolution in potato cultivation into sustainable prosperity with the political will of the government and the creative initiatives of the private sector. The sweat and labor of the farmers in the field will be fruitful only when Bangladeshi potatoes take pride of place in the supershops of the world market. Now is the time to build a prosperous agriculture-dependent Bangladesh by utilizing the potential of potatoes.
