Potato farmers in Joypurhat forced to stump up extortionate fees for cold storage

Farmers are being charged Tk 70-150 for a sack of potatoes, compared with the official price of Tk 18-21

Potato farmers in Joypurhat are facing significant difficulties in storing their crops at local cold storage facilities. There are allegations that farmers are being charged between Tk 70 to 150 per sack to store potatoes.

Despite lodging complaints with both the Upazila administration and agricultural officials, the frustrated farmers claim that no visible action has been taken.

In the Chanpara area of Joypurhat’s Panchbibi Upazila, “Sathi” cold storage was found closed. However, there was a long queue of various local vehicles outside that were loaded with potatoes, with farmers waiting to store them in the facility.

The farmers complained that despite booking two to three months in advance, the cold storage facility is not taking their potatoes. The few sacks that are being taken are incurring an arbitrary charge of Tk 70 to 150 per sack.

If any farmer refuses to pay this charge, they will have to carry the potato sacks on their backs to the upper floor of the cold storage.

The official policy dictates that the cold storage is responsible for taking the sacks for a charge of Tk 18 to 21 per sack. The arbitrary price hikes and refusal to cooperate has turned the process into a significant inconvenience for farmers, with some comparing it to harassment.

Shamsul Haque, the manager of Sathi Cold Storage, has denied the allegations. He said that the farmers were being refused due to a bumper potato harvest this year, which has led to a lack of space in cold storage.

Panchbibi Upazila executive officer (UNO) Romana Riaz and Agriculture Officer Lutfor Rahman were informed about the situation by phone, but did not take any action.

Later, the UNO stated that she dispatched the Village Police to the location upon receiving the report.

Rahela Parveen, deputy director of the Joypurhat District Department of Agricultural Extension explained: "We do not have magistracy powers, so we are unable to take direct action. However, we will request the district commissioner and Panchbibi UNO to take the necessary steps."