Munshiganj is the third-largest potato-producing district in the country. At one time, the district supplied one-third of the country’s total potato demand and even exported abroad. However, with most of the canals near farmland now filled in, farmers are struggling with irrigation. Additionally, due to untimely rainfall, seed planting was delayed this year, raising concerns about lower production. If production declines in Munshiganj, it could impact the national market.

Over the years, water reservoirs in Munshiganj have shrunk due to farmland and wetlands being filled in for housing projects. This has led to an irrigation crisis, cutting the district’s potato production nearly in half. Market analysts note that Munshiganj plays a crucial role in supplying the country’s potatoes. Any disruption in production here will affect the overall market. Additionally, since late planting due to flooding means Munshiganj’s potatoes will enter the market last, a lower yield at that time could drive up prices.

A field visit revealed that vast stretches of farmland in Munshiganj, known as the ‘Potato Capital,’ are now lush with greenery, with farmers busy tending to the plants. However, due to irrigation issues, cracks have appeared in the soil from water shortages, and potato seedlings are not growing as expected. Farmers expressed concerns about achieving their desired yield this season.

According to the district’s Department of Agricultural Extension, the potato farming season runs from November to February. Farmers remain busy all day clearing weeds, applying irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.

At the beginning of the season, untimely rainfall disrupted cultivation, damaging potato seeds planted on nearly 12,000 hectares. As a result, farmers had to replant in two phases, with most fields planted late. This delay has left farmers anxious about their harvest, as well as meeting production targets.

Field observations also showed irrigation machines spraying water on some fields, while farmers and agricultural laborers were seen clearing weeds and applying pesticides in others.

In particular, potato farming activities were evident in various villages, including Charkewar, Banglabazar, Mollakandi, Shiloy, Adhara, Mohakali, Bajrajogini, and Rampal unions in the Sadar upazila; Aldi, Dhamaran, Kathadia, Shimolia, Joslong, and Dhipur villages in Tongibari upazila; and across Sirajdikhan, Louhajang, Gajaria, and Sreenagar upazilas. Male and female laborers from different districts, along with farmers’ family members, were also engaged in the work.

Experts emphasize the critical role of irrigation in potato farming. Agricultural economist Dr. Jahangir Alam told Bonik Barta, “A significant portion of the country’s potatoes comes from Munshiganj, where irrigation relies heavily on rivers and wetlands. However, various factors are disrupting this system. Without adequate irrigation, yields will drop, potentially leading to increased dependence on imports and price hikes at the end of the year.”

Farmers noted that this year, fertilizer prices and labor costs have risen sharply. Before the rains, 50 kg of local potato seeds cost BDT 3,400, but after the rains, the price surged to BDT 6,000–7,500. Land rental costs have also increased significantly.

For years, farmers have struggled with losses due to low selling prices after harvesting. As a result, many have abandoned potato farming, with some switching professions after losing their investments.

Shamsuddin Member from Hoglakandi in the char areas of Sadar upazila said, “This year, I planted potatoes on 510 Shotangsho of land, spending BDT 1.1 million, which is double the last year’s cost. Due to multiple rounds of untimely rainfall, two-thirds of my potato fields have been damaged. Still, if market prices remain stable, I might be able to recover some of my losses.” He added, “Prices of everything in the market are high. Fertilizer prices have doubled compared to last year. I expect to produce 2,000 maunds (1 maund= 37.32 kg) of potatoes from my entire field.”

Romjan Ali Matbar from the same area said, “Last year, I made a mistake by selling my potatoes straight from the field. Others sold my potatoes later and made hundreds of thousands in profit. I sold at BDT 800 to BDT 900 per 50 kg sack, but towards the end of the year, the price rose to BDT 2,800 to BDT 3,000 per sack. This time, I may not sell directly from the field. I’ll store some at home for a while. The government should pay more attention to farmers.”

Kanchon Bepari from Makhati village in Sadar upazila said, “Good potato yields require a lot of labor after planting. This year, the rain caused some losses, and now, different plant diseases have emerged. People from the agricultural office are in regular contact with us. For the past two weeks, I’ve been renting a machine to spray water on my fields, hoping for a better yield. However, most fields have developed cracks due to water shortages.”

Babul Pal and Raju Shikdar, laborers from the same village, said, “Farmer Nannu Bepari hired us for BDT 600 per day to spray water on his potato fields. We’ve been working from morning to evening, irrigating 16 gonda of land. Farmers are struggling with irrigation because nearby canals and wetlands have been filled in.”

Meanwhile, farmer Moinuddin Suman Molla from Makhati village said he planted potatoes on 466 shotangsho of land. Hoping for a good yield, he and his workers are irrigating the fields daily using engine-powered machines.

Kamal Hossain, a farmer from Nuraitali village, said he planted potatoes on 870 decimals of land. The total cultivation cost per kani was BDT 220,000. However, water shortages have caused cracks in the fields. Additionally, the rising costs of pesticides and irrigation will impact potato prices.

Given the situation, the Munshiganj district’s Department of Agricultural Extension has sent a proposal to the relevant ministry for the government to purchase and store potatoes to prevent farmer losses. The department’s Deputy Director, Biplob Kumar Mohanta, said, “Early potato harvesting has begun in some areas, and market prices are good. But the potatoes still in the fields will start being harvested in the first week of March.”

He added, “If the weather remains persistently foggy, it could cause some problems. We are advising farmers to apply fungicides and to consult agricultural officers if the situation worsens.”

Munshiganj Sadar has the highest potato cultivation in the district. Over the past two years, strong market prices have encouraged farmers to expand potato farming. This season, potatoes have been cultivated on 34,655 hectares, with a production target of approximately 1.045 million tons.