Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 26th February 2026, 9:49 AM
Potato growers in the northern regions of the country are still struggling to recover from last year’s devastating market downturn. A sudden fall in market prices has left many farmers burdened with debts and financial losses. More than three months after the government announced relief measures, most affected farmers have yet to receive any assistance. As the new planting season begins, uncertainty looms once again over their livelihoods.
In November, the Ministry of Agriculture announced incentives aimed at compensating farmers for last year’s losses. At the time, agricultural advisers and local officials repeatedly informed the media about forthcoming support. However, in practice, little has materialised. Sub-district agricultural offices submitted lists of eligible farmers, but approval from the Ministry of Finance has been delayed.
In August of the previous year, the government pledged to purchase 50,000 tonnes of potatoes directly to stabilise market prices and ensure fair returns for farmers. That plan was not executed. Simultaneously, although a minimum price of 22 taka per kilogram was set for potatoes at storage facilities, farmers rarely received this rate. Consequently, thousands of tonnes of potatoes remain in storage, vulnerable to spoilage.
Costs for the new potato season have also risen. Prices of fertiliser and pesticides have increased, and the presence of old stock in the market alongside new harvests has pushed prices below production costs. Agricultural analysts warn that the failure to implement government purchases, enforce minimum prices, and disburse incentives promptly has deepened the crisis.
| District | Cultivated Area (hectares) | Production (tonnes) | Market Price (taka/kg) | Production Cost (taka/kg) | Estimated Loss per Bigha (taka) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogura | 90,000 | 1,000,000 | 8–12 | 14–18 | 15,000–25,000 |
| Joypurhat | 65,000 | 630,000 | 12–15 | 14–18 | 15,000–20,000 |
| Rangpur | 90,000 | 900,000 | 4–6 | 15–16 | 9,000–11,000 |
| Sirajganj | 45,000 | 480,000 | 12–15 | 14–16 | 12,000–20,000 |
| Naogaon | 50,000 | 550,000 | 12–15 | 14–18 | 15,000–22,000 |
Despite increased production, the drop in market prices below production costs has caused substantial per-bigha losses. Farmers in Joypurhat, Naogaon, Sirajganj, and Rangpur report selling potatoes at 4 to 15 taka per kilogram, in many cases leaving the crop in the field or using it as animal feed. Storage facility owners have begun requesting half of the storage fee in advance, reflecting growing market distress.
Md. Abdur Rahim, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, stated that lists of farmers eligible for incentives have been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Finance. He emphasised that disbursing the support could mitigate some of the financial losses.
Economists estimate that the losses across two potato seasons in three northern districts total between 12 and 15 billion taka. Dr. Jahangir Alam, an agricultural economist, warned: “Farmers have not yet recovered from past losses, and new setbacks are already emerging. Announcements alone are insufficient; timely, practical interventions are essential to prevent a full-scale agricultural crisis.”
Without prompt government support, operational purchase schemes, and market regulation, potato prices are unlikely to rise above production costs in the new season. Otherwise, increased output may continue to translate into recurring financial losses for farmers.
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