Potato Farmers in Dinajpur Face Losses Amid Severe Cold Storage Crisis
Potato farmers in Dinajpur are grappling with a severe crisis due to an acute shortage of cold storage facilities, impacting future market of the essential food item.
With only 13 cold storages available, the overwhelming production has left many farmers in distress as they struggle to preserve their harvest.
Long waits outside storage facilities have become common, and the uncertainty of finding space is raising fears of significant financial losses.
Bumper Production Exceeds Storage Capacity
This season, potatoes were cultivated on 50,000 hectares across 13 upazilas of Dinajpur, yielding an estimated 1.25 million metric tons, according to the Agriculture Department.
However, the existing cold storage infrastructure falls far short of the requirement, leaving farmers with limited options to preserve their produce.
Long Queues and Mounting Frustration
Farmers have been queuing for hours, often for days, in front of cold storages, but most are unable to secure space. As a result, many are being forced to sell their potatoes in open markets at prices lower than production costs.
Aslam Uddin, a potato farmer from Birampur Upazila, voiced his frustration: "I have been waiting in front of the cold storage for three days, but I still haven't been able to store my potatoes. They say there is no space. What should we do?"
Rising Storage Fees Intensify Farmers' Woes
Adding to the crisis, storage fees have seen a sharp increase, further straining farmers financially. Many have complained that the cost per sack has risen from Tk 250–300 to Tk 350–400.
Nazrul Islam, a farmer from Kabirajhat in Birganj Upazila, expressed his concern: "Previously, the storage cost per sack was around Tk 250-300, but now it has jumped to Tk 350-400. Our production costs are already high, and if storage costs rise too, how will we survive?"
Agriculture Department’s Acknowledgment and Recommendations
The Dinajpur Agriculture Department has admitted that the current cold storage capacity is inadequate for the district's large potato yield.
Biral Upazila Agricultural Officer, Md. Mostafa Hasan Imam, stated: "We have informed the ministry about the situation and have recommended setting up new cold storages as soon as possible. However, it may take some time to implement."
Farmers’ Demands and Proposed Solutions
Farmers of the district have put forward several demands and recommendations to mitigate the crisis:
- Increase Cold Storage Facilities: Farmers are urging the government to establish at least one new cold storage in each upazila to expand storage capacity.
- Regulate Storage Charges: There is a call for the government to regulate and maintain reasonable storage fees to prevent exploitation.
- Introduce Mobile Cold Storages: Farmers suggested that the government could deploy modern mobile cold storage facilities as a temporary solution.
- Government Purchase and Export Initiatives: Farmers are also requesting that the government purchase potatoes directly and enhance export opportunities to minimize their losses.
Cold Storage Authorities Cite Overproduction
Cold storage authorities have attributed the crisis to a bumper harvest following last year’s favorable prices. They argue that increasing the number of cold storages is the only viable solution to address the overwhelming demand.
Experts Warn of Severe Consequences
Professor Jalil Ahmed, former president of the Dinajpur Citizens' Awareness Committee, highlighted the urgency of the situation: "Farmers in Dinajpur are currently going through a difficult time. The shortage of cold storages coupled with rising storage costs increased their risk of financial loss. Without prompt government intervention, this problem cannot be solved. Farmers are urging the government to build new cold storages and reduce storage fees. Now is the time to listen to their concerns and take sustainable measures."
The crisis demands immediate attention from policymakers to protect farmers from severe financial losses and ensure that their hard-earned produce does not go to waste, he continued.
