The government has fixed the minimum price of potatoes at Tk22 per kilogram at cold storage gates.

The Ministry of Agriculture disclosed the decision in a notification on Wednesday (August 27).

It said farmers have been incurring losses as the recent selling price of potatoes does not match production costs. Following the directive of the Chief Adviser, a four-member review committee was formed to recommend measures to ensure fair prices for farmers. The committee was headed by the agriculture secretary, with the secretaries of the commerce ministry, food ministry and finance division as members.

Based on the committee’s recommendations, the government set Tk22 per kg as the minimum cold storage gate price for potatoes.

Additionally, under a government initiative, 50,000 metric tonnes of potatoes will be purchased in October-November, preserved in cold storage and later sold. Farmers will also be provided with incentives in the next production season, with relevant ministries taking necessary steps in this regard.

MSK/