In Joypurhat, farmers are grappling with a dual crisis: low potato prices and limited access to cold storage. Despite government intervention setting a maximum storage rent of Tk 6.75 per kilogram—offering some relief—farmers say they’re struggling to secure storage permits, while traders monopolise the facilities.
Farmers allege that traders are flooding cold storages with truckloads of potatoes, leaving them waiting days at the gates even after obtaining permits.
Imran Hossain from Dhupsara in Kalai said, “Despite attempts for several days. I couldn’t get permits. Meanwhile, thousands of traders’ potato bags are unloaded nightly at the cold storage next to my house.”
He added, “Trucks line up at every facility in the district, but farmers’ smaller loads are ignored. Who will hear us?”
Anwar Hossain from Battali in Khetlal echoed the frustration: “I waited two days to store 25 sacks, alongside hundreds of others with trolleys and vans. The gates stay shut for us, but I hear traders’ potatoes go in at night.”
Cold storage managers attribute the chaos to surging demand. Abdul Quddus of Battali Himadri Limited told Jago News, “Profits from stored potatoes have soared for two years, so farmers are storing not just for seeds but for sale too. We can handle 10,000 bags daily, but they’re bringing 20,000–25,000, causing jams.”
He claimed that while government rules mandate 60 per cent farmer and 40 per cent trader storage, “80% of our stock is farmers’ potatoes,” dismissing their complaints as exaggerated.
Raihan Mandal of M Israt Cold Storage in Kalai explained, “Last year, rent was Tk 6 per kilogram, but the Cold Storage Association raised it to Tk 8 due to high bank interest and labour costs. Farmers protested, so the government capped it at Tk 6.75. Demand has spiked, and we’re struggling to keep up.”
The District Agriculture Department reports potato cultivation on 43,470 hectares this season, targeting 9,66,546 tonnes but expecting over 1 million tonnes due to favourable weather. The district’s 19 cold storages can hold 1,85,000 tonnes, shared between farmers and traders. With profits enticing more farmers to store, capacity is stretched thin.
District Agricultural Marketing Officer Mehedi Hasan told Jago News, “We’ve set the rent at Tk 7.50 per kilogram and directed cold storages not to harass farmers. We’re monitoring compliance, and legal action will follow any violations.” Yet, for farmers side-lined by traders, the suffering persists.