Potato production in Bangladesh

Rayhan Ahmed

Once upon a time, potatoes were cultivated in some districts of the country including Munshiganj. Potato is known as poor man's food. Those days have changed, potato yield in the country now exceeds crores of tonnes. Potato disaster has happened silently in Bangladesh. After rice, potato is now the second main food and energy source of the country. Potato production has increased 26 times in the last four periods. And per capita potato consumption has increased tenfold. Not only is potato production a phenomenal success, potato is now one of the most profitable crops in the country. It has also become a means of earning foreign exchange. According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, potato is the second main source of food energy in Bangladesh. People in Bangladesh consume about 23 kg of potatoes per capita annually - eight kg more than India. According to a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), potatoes are meeting most of the vitamin and carbohydrate needs of the people of Bangladesh. The production of potato processed products such as chips, flakes, other food and products is increasing in the country over the past few years. According to the international organization Catalyst, at least 20 potato processing factories have been established in the country. Eight of these companies are also exporting potato chips and French fries abroad. According to the latest potato production statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organiz