This year’s potato production is quite satisfactory. Although farmers are happy with the high production, they are disappointed because they are not getting a fair price in the market. We know that if the production of a crop is high, its supply increases in the market. And if the supply increases, the price decreases. The country’s farmers are often deprived of a fair price in such a case as it does not have sufficient storage facilities. Again, farmers usually do not know how to process those crops, nor do they have an opportunity to do so.

There is a considerable demand for processed potatoes in the world market. If potatoes could be processed with the use of advanced technology, it would be possible to export them to the outside world at a high price. This can create unlimited business opportunities for entrepreneurs. The number of agricultural entrepreneurs in the country is increasing day by day. If they can process and export potatoes, hopefully they will benefit a lot and help the country earn foreign exchange. The government is strongly urging traders to initiate potato exports.

The interim government is making sincere efforts to provide all the facilities needed to export potatoes. For this, port and certificate facilities are being simplified. Steps are being taken to remove the obstacles in the field of export. The ministry is taking initiatives to stand by the farmers by exporting potatoes from the country. For this, the facilities of exporters at sea and land ports are being increased. It is learned that the truck facilities of BRTC will be increased for the transportation of potatoes.

Meanwhile, initiatives have been taken to connect farmers with the country's potato exporters and increase exports from the northern land port of Banglabandha to Nepal. The Bangladesh government has taken steps to make potatoes bacteria-free and safe. Initiatives are being taken to increase the price of potatoes. Overall, the Ministry of Agriculture is working to provide long-term solutions to farmers by increasing the multipurpose use of potatoes and increasing exports.

Reportedly, Bangladesh’s annual potato demand is around 90 lakh tonnes while the country produces around 1.06 crore tonnes, exceeding demand. An average of about 50 thousand tonnes of potatoes has been exported every year in the last 9 years. On the other hand, Bangladesh imported about 1 lakh tonnes of potatoes due to the potato crisis in the last fiscal year.

Due to the production crisis, only 12 thousand tonnes were exported in the last fiscal year. In comparison, potato production in the current fiscal year is quite good. Around 12 thousand tonnes of potatoes have been exported in about seven months of the current fiscal year. Bangladesh mainly exports potato to Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Oman, Canada and Maldives. However, initiatives are being taken to export potatoes to old markets in addition to new countries.

Potato processing requires an increase in the production of disease-free potatoes suitable for processing. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has so far been able to develop 104 high-yielding varieties of potatoes. Many of them are suitable for export and processing. BADC can play an important role in making these potato seeds easier to obtain at the farmer level. Processing companies can help in contract farming by following good agricultural practices to increase the cultivation of these potato varieties. Processed potato food products are much more profitable and can be stored for a long time. Therefore, now is the best time for entrepreneurs to invest in potato processing and export business.

It is mentionable here that there is a considerable lack of linkages between entrepreneurs and processing companies in the country. There are several on-going projects related to potato processing, but their activities are quite inadequate compared to the needs. Then, there is a lack of skilled people to operate processing machinery or machines at the entrepreneurial level. It is very important to expand these facilities to commercial potato producing areas.

The responsible institutions should maintain contacts with the potato farmers and continue to collect potatoes directly from them. Next year, farmers should be advised to cultivate potatoes suitable for processing. If necessary, the government should even go for contract farming with them. Policy makers should also pay special attention to producing potatoes which are the most suitable and profitable for export.

The use of processed potatoes in fast food is increasing day by day. Its demand at supermarkets and restaurants in the global market is also growing. There is a huge demand for frozen French Fries for supermarkets and restaurants in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, China, India, South Korea and Japan. Various types of processed potato products (such as flakes, starch, chips etc.) are used in the noodles and food processing industries. So, there is a big opportunity for branding processed potatoes. If these opportunities can be utilised, the country’s potato exports will increase and farmers will get a fair price. And, it can easily become one of the most profitable export sectors in Bangladesh.
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The writer is an agricultural economist and former National Consultant, FAO, United Nations. Email: [email protected]