Our Correspondent
RANGPUR, Mar 31: Export of potato from eight districts in Rangpur division has created a new horizon to the overall agro-economy in the region.
Huge quantity of granular variety, export quality, potato was produced in this season in the northern region which are being exported to Singapore, Malaysia and some Middle East countries, potato traders, exporters said.
Around Taka 2 billion could be earned annually through exporting over one-lakh tonnes of potatoes to Singapore and Malaysia from Rangpur division alone, they also said.
Potato traders and exporters are expecting to export large quantities of potatoes from the region this year.
Some companies, including Agri Concern, BD Food Ltd. and Sinha Agro Ltd. are exporting potato from the northern districts to different countries including Sigapore and Malaysia.
District Potato Growers Association Alhaj Mohammad Khwaja Ahmed said they are optimistic of exporting a huge amount of granular potato this season, if export friendly situation prevails.
A potato farmer, Abul Kashem (48) of Tilokpara village under Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur told FE that exports of potato have influenced the market positively which also encourages the growers to cultivate the crop on a large scale.
The exporters are buying 'granula' and 'diamond' varieties of potatoes that were produced in abundance in greater Rangpur and Dinajpur districts, said Vice President of Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gulam Zakaria.
According to local potato exporters the foreign companies have been using exported potato from Bangladesh in preparing potato chips and other foodstuffs to earn massive profits by marketing those at homes and abroad.
Potato of 100-gram to 250-gram in size are being packed in 4kg, 5kg, 10kg and 20kg mini packs in polythene nets for exporting to Singapore, Malaysia by shipping from Chittagong, they said.
Potato exporters of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chittagong through local agents have set up potato sorting, cleaning and packaging centres at different places in eight districts under Rangpur division, they added.
sayedmofidulbabu@gmail.com
Potato export from Rangpur div ushers in new horizon of agro-economy
FE Team | Published: March 31, 2018 21:04:23
Traders collecting potatoes from a field in Khansama village under Kawnia upazila of Rangpur on Saturday for export — FE Photo
Share if you like