The government is considering providing subsidies to potato farmers who suffered losses from last year’s cultivation, Agriculture Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Sunday.
“This year, potato farmers have suffered a lot. We are thinking about providing subsidy for potato growers,” he said speaking at a press briefing on overall agricultural issues at the Secretariat.
The adviser said that the new potato harvest has started arriving in small quantities but is expected to be delayed by about 15 days.
“If the old stock is cleared by then, it will be good. We have instructed cold storage operators to keep potatoes until December so that farmers can sell their entire stock,” he added.
When asked about the subsidy process, Jahangir Alam said discussions are going on.
He also highlighted a drop in potato seed prices compared to last year. “The price of a carton of seeds that cost Tk 40,000–42,000 last year is Tk 12,000 this time—much lower. I have asked officials to record the prices. If anyone manipulates prices anywhere, no exemption will be given,” he said.