A bumper potato harvest this season has brought relief and optimism to farmers across Munshiganj, with favourable weather and low pest pressure producing yields well above target. According to the District Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), potatoes were cultivated on 34,660 hectares — slightly above the season target of 34,655 hectares.
Munshiganj remains one of the country's leading potato-producing regions and ranks third nationally. Cultivation by upazila included 9,581 hectares in Sadar, 9,070 in Tongibari, 1,944 in Srinagar, 8,958 in Sirajdikhan, 3,109 in Louhajang, and 1,998 in Gazaria.
Yields well above forecast
The production target was set at roughly 10.04 million metric tonnes. With yields ranging between 42 and 45 metric tonnes per hectare in many areas, total production is now expected to exceed the target by around 14 lakh metric tonnes.
Agriculture officials credit a combination of favourable weather, lower pest pressure, fertiliser prices held at around 15,500 taka, and the rollout of balanced fertiliser practices across 206 blocks through the Khamari mobile app.
Export and processing in focus
Authorities are pursuing short, medium and long-term strategies to keep potato farming sustainable and profitable. Cultivation of export-friendly and processing-friendly potato varieties has been expanded across 6,783 hectares. A pilot training programme on potato-based food processing was held in Tongibari and is set to extend to other upazilas. The government is also working to expand large-scale potato exports to secure better returns for farmers.
