, Jan. 6 -- Rows of unsold potato sacks in Chandpur's cold storages reflect a season of deepening losses, turning what was once a lucrative crop into a source of financial despair for thousands of farmers.

In local markets, old potatoes are fetching as little as Tk 7-8 per kilogram, well below production and storage costs, leaving farmers with little incentive to withdraw their stored produce, locals said.

Outstanding dues for seed potatoes purchased on credit last season remain unpaid, while storage fees continue to accumulate, they said.

Agriculture officials said the district's 56,860 potato farmers are concentrated mainly in Chandpur Sadar, Matlab South, and Kachua upazilas, where some 5,000 hectares are under potato cultivation. ...