Bangladesh, in a frantic bid to reduce dependence of its 114mn populace on rice, has launched a campaign to popularise potato as a nutritious food but plans not to replace rice with it as the staple.
The campaign was kicked off as a bumper potato production in eight northern districts of Bangladesh has compelled farmers to preserve the item in their indigenous methods as the total output far surpassed the capacity of cold storages.
The campaign was kicked off as a bumper potato production in eight northern districts of Bangladesh has compelled farmers to preserve the item in their indigenous methods as the total output far surpassed the capacity of cold storages.
Officials of agriculture extension department (AED) are also helping and training farmers to preserve potato at homes. “Many of them (farmers) have started taking potato as a substitute for rice,” AED deputy director in Rangpur district town Noor Mohammed said yesterday.
AED officials estimated that about 32,00,000 tonnes of potato have been produced in eight northern districts against last year’s 1,46,0000 tonnes.
This year’s target was to bring 1,12,200 hectares under potato cultivation. The production this year is 220% more than that of last year, Mohammed said.
This region has emerged as the biggest potato producing area of the country, superseding Munshiganj and Bogra.
The total yield is worth about 34,000mn taka at the rate of 900 taka per 84kg bag.
He said space constraint in cold storages was a great problem.
Farmers are trying to overcome the problem by adopting indigenous preservation methods.
This year’s target was to bring 1,12,200 hectares under potato cultivation. The production this year is 220% more than that of last year, Mohammed said.
This region has emerged as the biggest potato producing area of the country, superseding Munshiganj and Bogra.
The total yield is worth about 34,000mn taka at the rate of 900 taka per 84kg bag.
He said space constraint in cold storages was a great problem.
Farmers are trying to overcome the problem by adopting indigenous preservation methods.
