Bangladesh has long needed more than just its RMG sector in contributing to export earnings. While there is an effort being made across different sectors, we remain unable to tap into sectors where we not only already have expertise, but are literally wasting resources by not capitalizing on exports.
Consider Bangladesh's surplus of potatos; Bangladesh grows over 10 million tons of potatoes against a domestic demand of 7 million. That's 3 million tons of potatoes that could be exported, and we are failing to do so due to numerous factors. While in the financial year 2020-21, Bangladesh earned $51 million by exporting 55,000 tons of potatoes, this volume is nowhere close to its potential exportable surplus.
However, it is good to see that in an effort to capture a larger share of the export market when it comes to potatoes, Bangladesh is gearing up to supply its farmers with seeds of some of the best bred potatoes that can be grown on our soil. With such a scientific undertaking by the government, there is hope to see some meaningful change.
