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RANGPUR, Oct 9: Despite huge production of potatoes, lower price than the production cost and high storage charge have severely effected the potato-cultivators in the district.
The farmers of Rangpur Sadar, Pirgachha, Taraganj, Mithapukur and Badarganj upazila have been cultivating potatoes in their land for years. But they are now reluctant to engage themselves in potato production next season due to the huge loss they had to bear this season, sources said.
After establishment of private cold storages in the region the growers were enthusiastic and made vigorous efforts to raise their potato production gradually. But the low price of potatoes made it difficult for them to cover even the production and storage costs this year, the sources also said.
They also blamed unfavourable weather and price hike of fertilisers at the beginning of the season for the rise in potato production cost.
However, high cold storage charge was another reason of bringing down the farmers' profit, added the sources. The cold storage charge was Tk 280 to 300 per sack.
Including production, transport and storage cost the farmers had to spend Tk 520 to 540 per sack. But the price of potato in the market was Tk 390 to 400 per sack. So, on every sack they had to suffer a loss of Tk 130 to 140, sources added.
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