-Sufficient potatoes in cold storage
-Protest for withdrawal of excess rent in cold storage
-Powerful syndicate is still active
-Farmers demand to set Tk 280 per bag
Although there is extensive potato cultivation in the northern region, which is famous for vegetables, at present potato market is largely out of control. In eight districts of Rangpur, the post-production price is somewhat bearable, but the market price of potato is gradually increasing due to the presence of powerful syndicates. Even half-ripe potatoes are not available at Tk 50 per kg. Common consumers have to struggle to meet the demand of one of these vegetables.
The information of agriculture department says that potatoes have been cultivated on 1 lakh 602 hectares of land in Rangpur region this season. Production has been 16 lakh 11 thousand 354 metric tons which is 3 thousand 275 hectares more potato cultivation than last year. Produced potatoes are sent to different districts of the country to satisfy the local demand. However, the farmers contracted the nearest cold store to store the potatoes. Consumers claim that the amount of potatoes cultivated and stored in the northern region is not exhausted even throughout the year. But potato production later increases the cost of storage in cold storage and due to invisible syndicates, the selling price of potatoes increases which affects the household expenditure of the common consumer.
According to the information received, there are 76 cold storages (freezers) in 8 districts of Rangpur division. These storages have a capacity of 4 lakh 37 thousand 337 metric tons. Traders claim that it has been stored more than the demand. But the market is trying to show that the supply is less than the demand of the consumers. The price of potato is gradually increasing.
Various cold stores of Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha have been visited and found that there is still sufficient stock of potatoes. Gosala Bazaar is the biggest wholesale market in Lalmonirhat. Majnu Mia, a dealer in Gosala market, said that more potatoes are being sold to retailers. He cited low supply of potatoes as the reason. In response to the question why the price is increasing if there is stock, a cold store and potato wholesaler in Lalmonirhat, who did not wish to be named, said that a gang is increasing the price of potatoes by blaming the increase in cost of cold storage. The syndicate is working to under-supply the market. The businessman claims that all syndicates will be broken if proper monitoring is done.
President of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said that this year potatoes have come to the market at a higher price from farmers. The price of frozen potatoes is also falling. Electricity prices are high, transport wages and other costs have increased. The additional production needed to overcome the potato crisis last year did not happen.
Md Mostafizur Rahman, Assistant Director of National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate Rangpur said, Consumer Rights Protection Directorate is working in market monitoring. A potato conservation campaign will soon be conducted. Legal action will be taken if there is evidence of artificial crisis in the market.
Meanwhile, potato farmers and traders of Rangpur protested by blocking the Rangpur-Lalmonirhat highway in Nabidiganj demanding the closure of the syndicate of cold storage owners and the withdrawal of excess rent of cold storage along with legal action against them.
They protested by blocking the road from 12 noon to 3:30 pm yesterday. Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles were stuck in an area of about one kilometer on both sides. The agitating farmers said that currently 60 kg bags of potatoes are being charged Tk 380 which is more than many areas. Due to syndicate of cold storage owners in Rangpur, rent of cold storage is increasing every year. The main owner of these syndicates is Awami backed Cold Storage owner. They used to syndicate for a long time.
Therefore, they demanded to set the price of potatoes at Tk 280 per bag along with taking action against them. Otherwise they announced to continue the movement. Potato trader leader Russell said that the price of potatoes in Rangpur is not decreasing because of the syndicate. If the syndicate is not broken up immediately, a massive action will be taken.
ZH
