#Agriculture #Bangladesh #Potatoes #Export #Industrial-GradeVarieties #AgriculturalIndustry #EconomicDevelopment
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque announced that a Japanese company has expressed interest in importing potatoes from Bangladesh. Despite producing over 10 million tons of potatoes annually, the demand for the current varieties in Bangladesh is low abroad. Therefore, the government is focusing on expanding the production of exportable and industrial-grade potato varieties. This presents an opportunity for farmers and agricultural engineers to explore new varieties and expand their market reach. With the potential for increased exports, the agricultural industry in Bangladesh could see significant growth.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, potato production in the country has been steadily increasing over the years. In 2019-2020, the country produced 11.2 million tons of potatoes, up from 10.9 million tons in the previous year. However, the demand for the current varieties of potatoes in the international market is low. This is where the opportunity for expansion of exportable and industrial-grade potato varieties comes in.
The government has already taken steps to promote the production of these varieties. In 2019, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) introduced two new varieties of potatoes – BARI Alu-79 and BARI Alu-80 – which are suitable for industrial use. These varieties have higher yields and are resistant to diseases, making them ideal for export.
The interest shown by the Japanese company is a positive sign for the agricultural industry in Bangladesh. It presents an opportunity for farmers and agricultural engineers to explore new varieties and expand their market reach. With increased exports, the industry could see significant growth, leading to more job opportunities and economic development.
The interest shown by the Japanese company in importing potatoes from Bangladesh presents an opportunity for the expansion of exportable and industrial-grade potato varieties. This could lead to significant growth in the agricultural industry, creating more job opportunities and contributing to the country’s economic development.