Potato farmers are suffering heavy financial losses as wholesale market prices have dropped far below production costs for the second consecutive year. Growers say the price slump has left them uncertain about continuing potato cultivation during the next season.
Mithu Haji, a farmer from Paikpara village under Paba upazila in Rajshahi, expanded his cultivation this season, hoping to recover losses incurred last year. He planted potatoes on 12 bighas and 8 kathas of land. However, when he brought his produce to Nowhata wholesale market on February 26, traders offered only Tk 8 to Tk 9 per kilogram.
According to Mithu, cultivating one bigha of land cost him approximately Tk 65,000. Expenses included Tk 17,000 for land lease, Tk 12,000 for seeds, Tk 3,000 for land preparation, Tk 12,000 for fertilizers and pesticides, Tk 13,000 for labour, Tk 4,000 for irrigation and harvesting, and Tk 4,000 in miscellaneous costs.
On average, he harvested 55 sacks per bigha, each weighing 65 kilograms, totaling 3,575 kilograms. That brings the production cost to nearly Tk 18 per kilogram. Selling at Tk 9 means a direct loss of about Tk 9 per kilogram.
Farmers said that while retail prices remain comparatively stable in urban markets, wholesale traders have sharply reduced rates, citing increased imports and higher supply. Many growers say they are forced to sell at low prices after waiting for hours at wholesale markets.
A similar situation prevails in various markets across Rajshahi, including Paba, Tanore and Godagari upazilas. Farmers report production costs ranging between Tk 16 and Tk 18 per kilogram, while wholesale prices hover between Tk 8 and Tk 9.
The crisis appears more acute in Naogaon, where potatoes are reportedly selling at Tk 5 to Tk 7 per kilogram in wholesale markets. Farmers there say production costs this year ranged from Tk 12 to Tk 15 per kilogram due to increased spending on seeds, fertilizers, irrigation and pesticides. At current prices, many are unable to recover even harvesting and transport costs.
Cold storage has also become a concern. Farmers claim storage rent has nearly doubled, making it risky to preserve potatoes in the hope of better prices later.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Naogaon, potatoes were cultivated on 21,970 hectares this season with a production target of 474,330 metric tons. Last season, 25,940 hectares were brought under cultivation, producing 514,360 metric tons. Although the cultivation area decreased by 3,970 hectares this year, good yields and increased supply are believed to have contributed to the price fall.
Humayra Mondol, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said farmers had been advised to reduce cultivation after last year’s losses. However, many continued planting potatoes. “Production has been good this season, and increased supply has pushed prices down,” she said.
With mounting losses and rising costs, many farmers now say they may shift to other crops next year if the situation does not improve.