Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Friday said potato export will be increased to ensure that the country’s farmers get better price. “Enough potatoes are produced in the country. An initiative has been taken to increase potato export to ensure fair prices to the farmers,” he said at a press conference in Rangpur. Apu Munshi Memorial Trust and Rotary Club of Uttara (Dhaka) hosted the event at Rangpur Circuit House, said a PID release. Read: Govt stares at potato glut; plans to boost export Tipu said the country's overall 9export revenue is going up day by day. This year, the export revenue target has been set at USD 51 billion. The government is aware of potato production, consumption and export, he added. He said several steps have been taken to keep the prices of essential commodities under control in the country.

Aiming to give a boost to potato exports, the government has decided to provide all sorts of support for its export and processing as the crop’s annual production surged past one crore metric tonnes in the country. “Over one crore tonnes of potato are produced annually in Bangladesh. But we need to import potato chips and pringles at high prices. Local firms will have to produce quality chips, pringles and French fry processing potato with added values,” said Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Sunday. The minister said this while addressing a views-exchange at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium over the enhancement of potato-processing.