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Rangpur, known as the largest potato producing area of the country, has begun exporting improved varieties of potatoes to several countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia since Thursday.
An initial order of 4,500 tons of potatoes has been received, according to local officials.
Each of the white varieties weighs over 100 grams, said Saiful Islam, the agriculture extension officer at the northern district’s Pirgachha Upazila.
Potato farmers are happy to be able to export their produce and hoping to get good prices.
Farmers said that this time, the local agricultural extension office has provided training for improved output in line with foreign demand. They have also provided improved varieties of potato seeds.
“There is a huge demand for white potatoes in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Malaysia. According to their requirements, each potato should be above 100 grams,”said Saiful.
Farmers were provided with inputs, including seeds, for producing several varieties of white potato including Santa, Diamond, Kumarika, Granula, Asterix, Sunshine etc, he said.
Although there is a huge demand for white potatoes in various countries in the Middle East, there is a demand for red potatoes in neighbouring Nepal and Sri Lanka and Bhutan, Saiful said.
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As a result, considering their demand, an initiative has been taken to produce improved varieties of red potatoes, he added.
Meanwhile, Russia has expressed interest in buying potatoes from Bangladesh. An agreement would be reached soon in this regard so that it would be possible to export about 50,000 tons of potatoes from Rangpur, he hoped.
Farmers highlighted that many countries including the Middle East do not like the potatoes that are usually produced in Bangladesh
Saheb Ali said that he was able to cultivate improved varieties of potato in eight acres of land this time due to favourable weather and low incidence of disease. He has exported 200 tonnes of potatoes this season.
Sarwar Alam said that he has produced improved varieties of potatoes in 10 acres of land. And he hoped that he would be able to export all of it.
A record amount of 52,200 hectares of land has been cultivated in Rangpur district this year which will be able to meet more than 25% of the total demand of the country, according to the Rangpur Agriculture Extension Department.
“The amount of potato export from Rangpur will reach nearly 100,000 tons, considering the demand from different countries,” said Assistant Agriculture Officer Akmal Hossain.
He hoped that the farmers would also get a fair price and the country would be able to earn a fair amount of foreign exchange.
(TDS)
