During the ongoing Rabi season, a target has been set to cultivate potatoes on 47,250 hectares of land across 13 upazilas of Dinajpur district. According to agricultural officials, nearly 25 percent of the early potato varieties have already been planted. Farmers say they are now spending busy days tending their fields with the hope of bringing the first batch of new potatoes to local markets in the first week of December. They believe that early harvesting will allow them to secure comparatively higher prices.
The information was confirmed on Monday by Dinajpur Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Md. Afzal Hossain. He stated that Dinajpur is widely known as one of the country’s leading districts for agricultural and Rabi-season crop production. To achieve a bumper yield of potatoes, field officers are providing farmers with technical assistance. Alongside other winter crops, farmers are being encouraged to cultivate potatoes using high-yielding seed varieties, with guidance and support from agricultural officials.
According to department sources, early planting of Golden, Granola and Courage potato varieties began on 20 October across all 13 upazilas. The early potato plants have already begun to grow vigorously, and the Golden, Granola and Courage varieties are expected to reach the market in the first week of December, within 30 to 35 days of initial planting. Early entry into the market is expected to help farmers obtain better prices.
From November through 31 January, farmers will continue planting variety potatoes on lands cleared after Aman paddy harvest. Once the fields are prepared, they will plant Diamond, Cardinal, Sterijes, Deshi Chollisha, Romana and Petroniz varieties. In early January, plantation of hybrid potato varieties such as Lady Rosetta, BARI-2, BARI-9, Atlas and several traditional local varieties—including Lal Pakri, Shada Pakri, Bogurai, Selbilati, Kaberi, Jolpai, Shada Patnai and Lal Patnai—will begin. As new seeds are planted, previously planted potatoes will also begin to mature and be harvested, ensuring a continuous production cycle. Consumers will be able to enjoy fresh early-season potatoes as soon as Rabi planting commences. Potatoes intended for long-term household storage and year-round consumption will be harvested between 15 February and 15 April. Among these, the most prominent local varieties include Lal Pakri, Shada Pakri, Bogurai, Selbilati, Kaberi, Jolpai, Shada Patnai and Lal Patnai. The average expected yield per hectare this year has been estimated at 22.21 metric tons, with the district projected to produce 1,059,448.50 metric tons of potatoes if the target is achieved.
To reach the production goal, the agricultural department continues advising farmers on crop care, pest and disease control, pesticide use and the application of required chemical fertilizers and organic manure. Officials say that, barring any natural disasters, the district is likely to achieve a bumper harvest. Last year, potatoes were cultivated on 48,775 hectares in Dinajpur, yielding 1,080,500 metric tons. The department claims it is encouraging farmers to exceed last year’s production levels once again.
Sharif Uddin, a farmer from Naniyatikor village in Chirirbandar upazila, reported that he planted Granola and Courage varieties of early potatoes on 80 decimals of land in the first week of November. He is now actively caring for the plants to ensure a healthy yield and expects to begin selling his potatoes in the first week of December. A similar statement was made by Nazrul Islam, a farmer from Nashipur village in Sadar upazila, who cultivated early potatoes on 60 decimals of land. He said he hopes to bring his produce to market in early December and expects to receive a good price.
