Agri ministry for potatoes as relief item

The agriculture ministry has proposed including potatoes in the list of relief goods to ensure a diversified use of the item.

The ministry sent letters to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, NGO Bureau and the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner on August 19 to take necessary steps in this regard.

Bangladesh produced 113.71 metric tonnes of potato in 2020-21 fiscal year. "There is a need for proper and diversified use of potatoes," the ministry wrote, suggesting its use as a relief item during natural calamities.

This root vegetable also can be distributed among the ultra-poor under different relief programmes, the ministry said, noting that it would help meet consumer demands and solve marketing problems.

Due to massive production, potato prices fell to TK 10-12 at the cold storage gate, Tk 15 in wholesale and Tk 25 in the retail market.

Farmers and cold storage owners estimated that 20 per cent of the potato might remain unsold, which will go to waste.