Potato is the third most important crop in Bangladesh. Potato is a temperate crop; it can be grown in most parts of the country during the winter season. Well fertilized, sunny weather with sufficient soil moisture is appropriate for potato plantation. Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute and a number of NGO's have taken steps to provide quality potato seeds among the farmers to ensure its proper cultivation in Kishoreganj.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has taken up an extensive plan to cultivate potato in all the 13 Upazilas of the district Kishoreganj during the current Rabi season.
Offical sources said a total of 5593 hectares of land will be brought under this cultivation this year with the production target of 20.26 metric tons of potato.
Of the total target, 365 hectares of land would be brought with a production target of 7395 metric tons in Hossainpur, 210 hectares with a production target of 4255 metric tons in Kishoreganj Sadar, 1195 hectares with a production target of 24210 metric tons in Pakundia, 405 hectares with a production target of 8205 metric tons in Katiadi, 550 hectares with a production target of 11140 metric tons in Karimganj, 240 hectares with a production target of 4860 metric tons in Tarail, 160 hectares with a production target of 3240 metric tons in Itna, 128 hectares with a production target of 2590 metric tons in Mithamoin, 320 hectares with a production target of 6483 metric tons in Nikli, 255 hectares with a production target of 5166 metric tons in Austagram, 425 hectares with a production target of 8610 metric tons in Bajitpur, 220 hectares with a production target of 4456 metric tons in Kuliarchar and 1120 hectares with a production target of 22690 metric tons in Bhairab upazilas.
The DAE official's particularly sub-assistant agriculture officers in field level are motivating the farmers to cultivate potato on their land in large scale to meet its demand and to make the growers economically benefited.
Besides, the farmers are also being imparted training on potato cultivation by the department to make the programme a grand success.
Md. Matiur Rahman, Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Kishoreganj said, an initiative has been taken to ensure seed, fertiliser, pesticides and other agri-inputs to the farmers to boost production of potatos in the district this season.
Besides, different commercial banks including Krishi Bank are also distributing agri-loan on easy term to the grower