Farmers in Bangladesh are grappling with a significant rise in seed costs, casting a shadow over the viability of their potato crops. Dhiraj Roy, a farmer from Maljhar village in Dinajpur, is among those reconsidering their cultivation plans due to the escalating prices of seeds and other agricultural inputs.
At Railbazarhat market, the largest wholesale seed market in Dinajpur, the price of Çhalisa variety potato seeds has surged to $1.10 USD per kilogram, a sharp increase from last season’s range of $0.66 to $0.77. Despite efforts to negotiate, the rising costs are expected to add between $110 to $132 to Dhiraj’s expenses this season.
In the Rangpur division, which includes Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Panchagarh, farmers began early potato cultivation in October. Last season, approximately 1,650 hectares were cultivated, requiring around 3000 metric tonnes of seeds. Local farmers supplied 90 percent of these seeds, with the remainder provided by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and private companies. However, with the BADC yet to commence seed sales, private sector prices have surged, now ranging from $0.88 to $1.10 per kilogram.
Farmers like Nur Alam from Ramdubi village have observed a significant price increase in Esterize potato seeds, prompting calls for regulatory intervention. Seed producers and wholesale traders attribute the price hike to last year’s high potato prices and increased costs for cold storage and labor.
The BADC has announced plans to distribute 2,800 metric tonnes of seeds in the greater Rangpur area. However, farmers remain concerned that without government intervention, the rising costs will severely impact their profitability.
As the planting season progresses, the escalating seed prices pose a serious threat to the livelihoods of farmers in the region, highlighting the urgent need for measures to stabilize costs and support agricultural sustainability.
