Farmers see light of hope in frost-free model house for potato storage

Farmers in Rangpur are seeing a ray of hope in the multi-purpose use, storage and marketing of potatoes in non-frozen model houses. The Department of Agricultural Marketing says that farmers will save about 1.5 lakh taka annually by storing 25-30 metric tons of potatoes in the model houses provided by the government under the Multi-purpose Use, Storage and Marketing Development Project of Potatoes. If a non-frozen model house is built, it can be used for up to 15 years. The objective of the project is to develop potato storage systems in homesteads to help potato farmers get a fair price,...

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Farmers in Rangpur are seeing a ray of hope in the multi-purpose use, storage and marketing of potatoes in non-frozen model houses. The Department of Agricultural Marketing says that farmers will save about 1.5 lakh taka annually by storing 25-30 metric tons of potatoes in the model houses provided by the government under the Multi-purpose Use, Storage and Marketing Development Project of Potatoes. If a non-frozen model house is built, it can be used for up to 15 years. The objective of the project is to develop potato storage systems in homesteads to help potato farmers get a fair price, develop entrepreneurs through increased multi-purpose use and expand export markets.
Currently, Rangpur is the first district in the country in potato production. However, due to the lack of adequate storage facilities and the lack of prices during the peak season, potato farmers are mostly affected. Therefore, considering the concerns of farmers, the Department of Agricultural Marketing has constructed 121 non-frost model houses in Rangpur Sadar, Rangpur, Badarganj, Taraganj, Mithapukur, Gangachara, Kaunia, Pirgachha, and Pirganj in Rangpur district to store potatoes. Where potatoes can be stored at the farmer level for 4-6 months. As a result, the fear of losses will be reduced.
According to the Agricultural Marketing Office, the dimensions of this unglazed model house are 25 feet long, 15 feet wide and 12 feet high. There are 54 pillars on the ground. Wooden scaffolding on the pillars. There are cement pillars and bamboo poles on all sides and a 6-foot bamboo fence on all sides. There is an RFL net on top, through which light and air can easily circulate in the house, colored industrial tin on the top that prevents the heat of the sun and a cockpit is provided under the tin, which further helps in controlling the heat. There are four gas pipes inside the house that help in absorbing carbon dioxide in the house.
The Department of Agricultural Marketing further informs that farmers should keep an eye on it, 25-30 metric tons of potatoes can be stored in a 5-foot high loft without any objects at normal temperature and humidity. Pesticides should be sprayed in the model house at least 3 days before storing the potatoes. Cut, rotten, diseased and immature potatoes should be sorted and stored. At least 04 gas pipes should be installed in the model house during potato storage. After lifting the potatoes from the field, they should be sorted in a shaded place and stored in the model house.
Some farmers including Salam, Halim, Milan Nazrul, Abu Said, who are beneficiaries, said that even though they face losses in potato cultivation every year, now they are saving more than two lakh taka by storing 25-30 metric tons of potatoes in unfrozen model houses compared to cold storage. We are benefiting from this and are thinking about the future. We will have to increase these houses on our own initiative for our own benefit.
Md. Shakil Akter, Senior Agricultural Marketing Officer of the Department of Agricultural Marketing, said, “Storing potatoes at home will benefit farmers on the one hand and increase production on the other.”
He further said, “This house is a blessing for the farmer, because it is not just a house but a business establishment. Apart from potatoes, onions, garlic, corn, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins can be stored here. Farmers are benefiting immensely from this.”
It is worth noting that although about 1.6 million 5 thousand metric tons of potatoes were produced in 54,500 hectares of land in Rangpur district this year, the storage capacity of 41 cold storages is about 460,000 metric tons. The model houses are playing a very effective role in storing potatoes outside the cold storage, said the concerned people.