The interim government has decided to purchase 50,000 tonnes of potatoes in a bid to stabilise the market and protect farmers’ interests.
The decision was announced in a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday. According to the release, the procured potatoes will be stored in cold storage facilities and sold in October–November this year.
The government has set the minimum sale price at Tk22 per kilogram at the cold storage gate. The ministry also confirmed that potato farmers will receive incentives in the upcoming season.
The move follows recent media reports highlighting that market prices of potatoes were inconsistent with production costs, sparking concern among farmers. In response, Chief Adviser Dr Yunus formed a four-member review committee headed by the agriculture secretary and including the secretaries of commerce, food, and finance ministries.
The committee recommended fixing a minimum price and government intervention in potato marketing, as well as providing special incentives for growers in the next season.