7. Developing the Potato Sector in Bangladesh

Client

Katalyst

Location

Whole Bangladesh

Duration

Initial: 28 months (March 2010 – June 2012)
Extended: 6 months (July 2012 – December 2012)

Status

Completed

Background

Now-a-days, potato is considered as being the most important crop of farmers only second to Rice. It is grown mostly everywhere in Bangladesh with special concentration in Northern part of the country and central part also. However, this sub-sector is not paying regular dividend as faces several constraints. Out of them, diseases and post harvest loss are considerably the most important that result in lower income of farmers. In several occasions, potato became the most disappointing crop for the farmers as it did not cover the cost of production. Bangladesh Government has also given priority in potato production, though their initiatives and interventions are not sufficient enough. To bring out systemic change in the potato market, GMark brings more private sector actors together to create efficient value chain.

Intervention Areas

To improve the competitiveness of potato farmers by increasing productivity and price, GMark facilitates different interventions in the following areas.