http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=3D35497
Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh Business
2008-05-08
Potato output, consumption seen key to strengthening food security
Bangladesh Potato Campaign 2008 kicks off
Potato preservation facilities should be developed for encouraging
farmers to grow more potatoes, which, in turn, would help strengthen
food security of the country, Agriculture Adviser CS Karim said
yesterday.
=93 Though potato production increased significantly in last few years,
the storage system for its preservation did not increase. In view of
increasing potato production, we must take measures for its storage
system as well,=94 said the adviser addressing as chief guest the
inaugural function of Bangladesh Potato Campaign 2008.
He said, =93If we fail to do something for the farmers they would not
feel encouraged to produce the crop=94.
Ministry of Agriculture, CSD (Canteen Stores Department) Bangladesh,
Ministry of Defense and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of
the United Nations are jointly organising the three-day campaign at
Bangladesh China Friend****p Conference Centre in Dhaka with the aim to
increase potato consumption.
With 80 lakh tonnes of bumper production of potato this year, the
farmers are struggling to preserve and market their produce amid
inadequate preservation and distribution facilities.
Government and private cold storages of the country, taken together,
have a preservation capacity between 20 lakh and 22 lakh tonnes of
potatoes, the inaugural session was told. The total potato production
was around 50 tonnes last year.
Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed was present at the function
as special guest.
The adviser said the global potato production is ****fting from Europe
to Asia since 50 percent of the global potato output now comes from
Asia.
In the last one year potato production in the country increased by 60
per cent, representing 2-3 per cent of global production and 5 per
cent of the total production in Asia. China is the global leader in
potato production, while Bangladesh stands tenth.
In his speech, General Moeen U Ahmed thanked the farmers for their
relentless work to feed the nation.
=93A total of 2.5 crore farmers are producing 3.5 crore tonnes of food
grains a year to feed 15 crore people of the country,=94 Moeen said.
=93People are responding to my call and that of the adviser CS Karim to
consume more potato so as to help the farmers,=94 he said.
Regarding the criticism from some quarters when he urged all to
consume more potato, the Army chief asked, =93 When we talked in favour
of consuming more potato, there were many who opposed. They should
then come up with some other way to solve the problem of food price
hike=94.
AD Spijkers, FAO representative in Bangladesh, said, =93 It has been
heartening to note that Bangladesh is now considered as a potato
growing country. I should say it is a big achievement=94.
About the bumper production of potato, he said, =93 It will create a
great potential for millions of poor farmers of the country for
connecting themselves to the international market and also would
provide safety nets for poor households.=94
At the function 10 farmers were honoured for their contribution in
potato cultivation.
Agriculture Secretary Abdul Aziz also spoke at the function.
A total of 60 government and private organizations with 60 stalls are
participating in the campaign. The campaign is open from 9am to 9pm
everyday without any entry fee.
Different potato made food items including potato cakes, flakes, ice
cream, chips and French fries are on sale at the fair.
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