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In the coastal island district of Bhola, potato cultivation has been slowly declining over the past few years. This year was no different.
Unfavorable weather, rising prices of fertilizers and seeds seem to have reined in potato cultivation. Farmers are afraid of not getting fair price for whatever they are cultivating by taking loans. At the beginning of the season, many farmers have withdrawn from potato cultivation due to the fear of rain, hostile weather and losses every year. They have become interested in wheat and mustard cultivation as alternative crops.
Last year, 1 lakh 1 thousand 200 metric tons of potatoes were produced in 4 thousand 600 hectares of land in the district, but this year the agriculture department has set a target of 99 thousand metric tons of potatoes in 3 thousand 800 hectares of land.
East Elisha farmer md. Shafiq said, last year he planted potatoes on 3 acres of land. Potatoes suffer heavy losses due to untimely rains. I was in favor of not planting potatoes this year. Still, I planted potatoes on an acre of land. I planted wheat on the rest of the land. However, I am worried about getting the fair price for the land that I have cultivated for potatoes.
Meanwhile, Kabir Majhi, a farmer of the same area, said that we have to face losses in potato cultivation every year by investing in loans. On the other hand, due to the increase in the price of fertilizers and seeds, it is difficult to grow potatoes. So this year, due to these reasons, I have planted mustard and wheat as alternative crops to potatoes.
According to the information of the agriculture department, the target of potato cultivation in the district has decreased to 1 thousand 235 hectares in the last 4 years. It also reduced production targets and achievements slightly.
Deputy director of the district agricultural extension directorate said. Hasan Waresul Kabir said that during the sowing of potato seeds, lack of soil, natural calamities and unfavorable environment are the main reasons for disruption of potato production in Bhola.
He also said that the agriculture department is advising the farmers to cooperate and produce alternative crops. As a result, the cultivation of potato has decreased, but the cultivation of wheat and mustard has increased in the district as alternative crops.
