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Several thousand potato farmers in Lalmonirhat and nearby districts in northern Bangladesh are worried about the high prices of potato seeds.
They say high seed prices will affect cultivation this season.
Atoar Rahaman, a farmer from the Mostofi Bazar area in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said the high seed prices might affect potato farming this year. He cultivated potato on 272 bighas of land last year, but thinks it would be difficult to arrange sufficient seeds this year due to high prices.
Like him, many farmers who commercially cultivate potatoes are worried about the seed prices. Farmers Sakmal and Ashraful from Hiramanik village said they were facing the same problem.
Potato farming is very popular in Lalmonirhat and nearby districts of the Rangpur division. The soil and weather conditions are very conducive to potato farming.
The quality of potatoes produced here is also very good. A few years back, potatoes from northern districts were even exported. Farmers grow potatoes both for selling in the market and for seeds. Many of them also keep their produce in local cold storage as seeds.
The prices of potato, which is consumed almost daily in Bangladeshi households, have been very high for the last two years. It was once affordable for all, but not anymore. Potato varieties, including cardinal and diamond, are being sold at Tk 65-70 per kg in the market.
Abdul Mujib Bhuiyan, owner of a cold storage facility in the Mahendranagar area, said high prices of potato seeds could hamper cultivation this season. He said farmers had already started cultivation in many areas and those who cultivated the early variety could not harvest due to last month's rains.
"Amid a shortage, quality potato seeds are being sold at Tk 90-100 per kg. Companies are also selling seeds at high prices. Potato growers are facing difficulties due to high prices," he added.
The Department of Agricultural Extension's (DAE) Lalmonirhat office has set a target to bring 6,500 hectares of land under potato farming in the current season.
Dr Shaikhul Arefin, deputy director of the office, said potato farming had become popular among farmers, who earned good profits in the last two years.
He added that the demand for seeds was high as many farmers were interested in potato cultivation.