Bumper Potato Harvest Expected in Bogra, But Price Fears Haunt Farmers

Favorable weather has set the stage for a bumper potato harvest in Bogra this year. However, despite the promising yields, local farmers remain gripped by anxiety over fluctuating market prices and rising production costs.

While some farmers have already profited from early-season varieties—including small-scale exports to Malaysia—most are worried that a massive harvest in the coming months will lead to a price collapse. Many are still reeling from the financial losses of the previous year.

Cultivation Figures According to the Bogra Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the cultivation target for this season was set at 55,750 hectares, approximately 5,000 hectares more than the previous year. Planting was completed between November and December, and the full-scale harvest is expected to peak in February and March.

Rising Costs vs. Market Reality Farmers report that the cost of cultivation has surged, ranging from Tk 35,000 to Tk 42,000 per bigha, driven by the high price of seeds, fertilizers, and labor.

"Last year, I suffered a loss of nearly Tk 1 crore on 120 bighas," said Alhaj Ruhul Amin, a farmer from Nandigram. "I reduced my cultivation to 80 bighas this year. While current prices are decent, we live in constant fear that the market will crash once the full harvest hits the stalls."

Export Potential There is a silver lining in the export sector. Khairul, owner of Meem Traders in Shibganj, noted that 26 tons of early varieties have already been shipped to Malaysia. "The quality is excellent, and we hope to increase our export volume significantly this year," he said.

Call for Government Intervention To ensure fair prices, farmers across Shajahanpur, Shibganj, and Nandigram are urging the government to introduce a direct procurement system. They believe that government buying would stabilize the market and protect them from middleman exploitation.

Bogra DAE Deputy Director, Sohel Mohammad Shamsuddin Firoz, stated that the department is actively providing technical support and monitoring market management. "If the weather remains favorable for the next month, we expect record production. We are focusing on promoting export-quality varieties to ensure farmers get the best possible returns," he added.