Potato preservation project turns ineffective in Joypurhat

Fifty-two non-refrigerated model houses built under a government project for potato preservation in Joypurhat are allegedly being used for residential and household purposes, raising questions over the effectiveness and implementation of the crore-taka initiative.
The houses were constructed during the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 under the project titled “Multipurpose Use, Preservation and Marketing Development of Potatoes” aimed at ensuring fair prices for marginal farmers and strengthening sustainable potato storage and marketing systems.
According to sources, the government spent around Tk2.77 lakh on each house, with the total project cost amounting to about Tk1.44 crore. The bamboo, wood and tin-made structures, built on raised pillars, were designed to store 25 to 30 tonnes of potatoes from February to June.
Farmers were also supposed to receive supporting equipment, including plastic crates, digital weighing machines, nets, tarpaulins and spray machines.
However, farmers alleged that many of the promised materials were either not supplied or only partially distributed. While some equipment was reportedly provided to the 40 houses built in the first phase, beneficiaries of the remaining 12 houses constructed in the 2024-25 fiscal year said they received only tarpaulins.
Several farmers also alleged that poor-quality materials were used in construction and that they had to purchase bamboo and sand with their own money after contractors failed to provide them.
Ekabbar Ali of Rangta village and Yahia Mia of Mir village in Joypurhat Sadar upazila said the houses are unsuitable for potato storage due to excessive heat, water leakage and rat infestation.
“Potatoes rot quickly inside the houses. Rainwater enters through the roof and rats damage the produce from below. We are now using the houses for living and household purposes,” they said.
Similar allegations were made by Sirajul Islam of Akkelpur upazila and Nur Islam of Palikadoa village in Sadar upazila. They said they incurred heavy losses after attempting to preserve potatoes in the structures and are now using them as storage sheds instead.
Officials concerned said the project was intended to improve farmers’ storage capacity so they could sell potatoes at better prices later in the season and maintain market supply. The initiative also aimed to expand the multipurpose use of potatoes and reduce poverty through a sustainable marketing system.
Although the houses were planned to remain functional for 15 to 20 years with minimal maintenance, farmers claimed the structures became ineffective within a short period.
Joypurhat District Agricultural Marketing Officer (Acting) Ratan Kumar Roy said some necessary materials were supplied during the first phase, but allocation shortages prevented similar support in the second phase.
He also claimed that excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides may have reduced the storage life of potatoes.
However, farmers blamed the failure on faulty design, substandard construction materials and lack of proper supervision during implementation.
Locals and conscious citizens alleged that the project has largely failed due to poor planning and monitoring despite huge government expenditure. They demanded an immediate assessment of the structures, necessary repairs and effective measures to ensure proper use of the facilities for their intended purpose.