SHERPUR, Dec 10, 2024 (BSS) - Farmers of the district are passing busy time
planting potato seeds in their farmland after harvesting Aman paddy.

Potato seed planting is going on in full swing from dawn to dusk in the
district as farmers are expecting a bumper production of it.

On the other hand, seasonal workers have been employed in planting potato
seeds where several thousand male and female workers are working on a wage
basis of Taka 250 to 300 every day.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said the department has set a
target of potato cultivation on 5,212 hectares of land in five upazilas of
the district as 70 percent of the potato seed planting work has been
completed.

Sub-assistant agricultural officers are regularly advising potato farmers in
each upazila.

Potato farmer Ismail Hossain, 34, said, "I am cultivating potatoes on 10
acres of land this year. Compared to other crops, potato cultivation is more
profitable. The cost of purchasing potato seeds, planting, fertilizer
application, irrigation and labour for one acre of land is Taka 1.50 lakh to
1.80 lakh."

After that, the profit from potato cultivation per acre is Taka 70,000 to
80,000 without cost, he said.

Farmer Sadek Mia, 38, said every year he plants potato seeds after harvesting
Aman paddy. This year he has planted three varieties of potato seeds--
Diamond, Asterix and Sunshine-- on his land and he is expecting a bumper
production from the new varieties.

Deputy Director of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC)
Sherpur district Md. Khalilur Rahman said this year high-quality potato seeds
have been supplied to the farmers.

"Farmers are planting four varieties of potato seeds: Lady Rosetta, Sunshine,
Asterix, Diamond and Courage. Hopefully, if the weather is favorable, there
will be a bumper potato production in the district," he said.