Farmers in Dinajpur`s Fulbari upazila have started harvesting early varieties of potatoes, creating a bustling scene in the fields. The high prices of these freshly harvested potatoes have brought joy to the growers, as they are selling directly from the fields at rates of Tk 72 to 75 per kilogram.

According to reports, the upazila has been known for cultivating early potatoes for over two decades. The early potatoes grown in this region meet local needs and are also sent to other parts of the country. Farmers are taking advantage of the high demand and prices by harvesting their potatoes from elevated fields. The potatoes are collected, bagged, cleaned and transported by traders to distant markets. Many farmers expressed their satisfaction with this year`s unprecedented prices.

Amirul Islam, a farmer from Jafarpur village, shared his success, saying, "I cultivated potatoes on two bighas of land with a cost of Tk 1.2 lakh. I have sold my harvest for Tk 2.3 lakh, making a profit of nearly 1 lakh taka after deducting expenses."

Osman Goni, a farmer from Shibnagar union, reported similar profits. "I cultivated potatoes on 50 decimals of land with a cost of Tk 50,000. I`ve already harvested 20 decimals and expect to make a profit of around Tk 60,000 after all costs," he said.

Fulbari Upazila Agriculture Officer, Mst Rumman Akter, confirmed the positive outlook. "Farmers have started harvesting early potatoes, and the yield and demand are both excellent this year. With the favorable market conditions, we expect even more farmers to engage in potato cultivation next season," she stated.