Staff Reporter, Rangpur :
Potato farmers began to harvest their crop this year amidst the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Needless to say, many were concerned whether they would be able to make a profit from their investment or whether their potatoes would go to waste. Their partnerships with potato exporters and ability to produce quality potatoes according to ‘Good Agricultural Practices’ have made all the difference.
Since 2018, FAO has been working with 3 potato producer cooperatives in Rangpur under the Missing Middle Initiative of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program. The cooperatives were trained in Good Agricultural Practices for potato production as well as financial and digital literacy.
They are strong and well-managed. FAO and DAE linked them with exporters, retail chain shops and cold storage facilities.Through the connection with exporters, last year they exported a total of 1,000 metric tons of potatoes. This year more exporters have been in touch and now the cooperative members, as well as neighboring potato farmers, are able to sell their potatoes for a fair price through the coop to these exporters.
Salma, a young potato grower of Bodorganj upazila shared, ‘Based on our experience last year, many farmers have increased their production and requested our coop to sell their potatoes to exporters. The exporters see our coop as an aggregation point that is hassle free.’ The combination of strong cooperatives producing high-quality potatoes and their partnership with exporters is key for potato producers in the region to sustainably grow their livelihoods.
Moksedul, the President of Birhim Potato Growers Group in Pirgacha, Rangpur stated, ‘Though prices fluctuate during the seasonal glut every year, our farmers are getting a fair cash price from exporters.’ Bangladesh produces more than 11 million metric tons of potato each year, of which approximately 4 million are surplus.
Finding ways to utilize this surplus has the potential to bring a huge increase in profits for farmers and others along the value chain. The government is very clear about the importance of this. The inauguration’s chief guest, Mr. Md. Mesbahul Islam, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture stated, ‘Now is the time to handle surplus potatoes. We have to increase export competitiveness and improve the varieties for export and processing.’
FAO is also very much on board to carry on strengthening the sector. Mr. Robert Simpson, FAO Representative in Bangladesh said, ‘FAO will continue its efforts to support smallholders to produce and process quality potatoes for export as well as local consumption. Producer cooperatives are key here for competitiveness, as is engaging the private sector to establish accreditation labs as well as farm level storage facilities for both table and seed potato.’
Participants at the ceremony came away inspired by the potential of this partnership to uplift smallholder farmers and ensure livelihoods for many despite the significant challenges of the COVID pandemic.
