Following health guidelines and physical distancing, potato producers, exporters, government officials, and FAO representatives have gathered at Pairabandh, Mithapukur in the Rangpur region to inaugurate this year’s export of potatoes.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and the Sara Bangla Krishak Society jointly organised the event, a FAO press release said on Monday.
Potato farmers began to harvest their crop this year amidst the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Many were concerned whether they would be able to make a profit from their investment or whether their potatoes would go to waste but their partnerships with potato exporters and their ability to produce quality potatoes according to ‘Good Agricultural Practices’ has made all the difference.
Since 2018, FAO has been working with three potato producer cooperatives in Rangpur, under the Missing Middle Initiative of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP).
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, they exported 1,000 tonnes of potatoes last year. This year more exporters have been in touch and now the cooperative members, as well as neighbouring potato farmers, are able to sell their potatoes for a fair price through the co-op to these exporters.
