Key Highlights

• Potato prices have sharply increased across Afghanistan
• Many families can no longer afford basic meals
• Job losses and border closures are worsening the situation
• Over 17 million people need urgent food support

People in Afghanistan are facing growing trouble as food prices continue to rise. Potatoes, once a cheap and common food, are now out of reach for many families. At the same time, job opportunities remain low, making daily life harder.

Food Prices Climb Across Regions

Residents from different provinces say potato prices vary but remain high everywhere. In Kabul, one seer costs about 400 afghanis. Prices in Badakhshan and Takhar are between 350 and 400 afghanis. In Mazar-e-Sharif, it is around 300 afghanis, while in Herat it has reached 420 afghanis.

Even in Ghor, prices differ, with five kilograms costing between 170 and 250 afghanis. These rising costs are making it hard for families to manage even basic meals.

Families Cut Down on Food

Many people say they have already removed items like rice and meat from their meals. Now, potatoes are also disappearing from their plates. For low-income families, potatoes were often the main food.

A Kabul resident shared that she stopped buying potatoes due to high prices and chose cheaper vegetables instead. She said even people with income are struggling to prepare proper meals.

Others say potatoes now cost almost as much as meat, which makes them unaffordable for most households.

Also read: Potato Storage Diseases and Simple Prevention

Jobs and Supply Issues Add Pressure

Unemployment remains a major issue across the country. People say they do not have enough income to keep up with rising prices.

Some residents believe that border closures with Pakistan and ongoing regional tensions have affected supply, leading to price increases. Farmers also face problems such as lack of proper storage, which limits local supply.

Warnings of a Growing Hunger Crisis

The World Food Programme has warned that the situation is getting worse. According to the agency, about 17.4 million people in Afghanistan need urgent food help.

Child malnutrition is also rising, with millions of children expected to need treatment this year. Many residents fear that if prices continue to rise, hunger will spread further.

With prices still rising and jobs hard to find, many Afghan families are left with fewer food choices each day. If the situation does not improve, more people may face serious hunger in the coming months.

Image Credit: javier albuja on Unsplash
News source: 8am media

Key Highlights

• Potato acreage drops below target in Bogura
• Farmers selling at BDT 9–12 per kg
• Production may still cross 1.33 million tonnes
• 40% of last year’s stock still in cold storage

Potato farming has declined in Bogura, Bangladesh as growers struggle with repeated losses. Even though yields remain strong this season, low prices have pushed many farmers into debt. Officials say output may still meet the target, but farmers are worried about survival.

Acreage Falls, Output May Rise

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bogura grows 48 local and high-yielding potato varieties. The Asterix variety, known locally as “Stick,” is the most planted this year.

Last year, 60,435 hectares were cultivated, exceeding the target. Production reached about 1.33 million tonnes. This season, the cultivation target was 55,750 hectares. Actual farming covered 54,465 hectares, falling short by 1,285 hectares.

So far, about 36 percent of the land has been harvested, producing nearly 400,000 tonnes. Officials believe total production may still cross the 1.33 million tonne target due to good yields.

Prices Below Cost

Despite healthy crops, market prices remain low. Early-season potatoes cost around BDT 14–16 per kg to produce. Yet farmers are selling at BDT 9–12 per kg in wholesale markets.

Md Firoz, a farmer from Ashokola village, said he spent BDT 18,000–20,000 per bigha but could not recover even half the cost last year. This year, he faces similar losses and carries a debt of BDT 30,000.

Traders are also affected. One local trader said potatoes bought at BDT 11 per kg last year and stored at a total cost of BDT 19–20 per kg are now selling below cost in the market.

Also read: Idaho Potatoes vs Russet Potatoes – What’s the Real Difference?

Storage Pressure Adds to Crisis

Bogura has 42 cold storage facilities with a combined capacity of about 450,000 tonnes. Around 40 percent of last year’s potatoes remain stored. Farmers planted new crops while old stocks were still in storage, adding to supply pressure.

Officials say increased supply has kept prices down. While preservation efforts were made last year, prices did not improve.

Even with good weather and steady yields, potato farmers in Bogura are under strain. Unless prices rise or storage pressure eases, many growers may reduce cultivation further next season.

Image credit: Akshat Jhingran on Unsplash
News source: bonikbarta

Key Highlights

• 13 million metric tons of potatoes produced this year
• Afghan border closure led to price crash
• Iran land route under review for exports
• Storage capacity limited to 7–8 million metric tons

Pakistan is looking at a new export route through Iran to deal with a sharp fall in potato prices. The problem began after the government closed the Chaman and Torkham borders with Afghanistan in October 2025. The move cut off a key market and left farmers facing heavy losses.

Border Closure Hits Prices

Afghanistan has long been a major buyer of Pakistani potatoes. When trade stopped, supply piled up inside Pakistan. Prices dropped quickly as more potatoes entered local markets.

Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Food Security that the government is now reviewing other export options. He said the Zahedan-Taftan land route through Iran is being considered to send potatoes to Central Asian countries.

Pakistan normally stores 7 to 8 million metric tons of potatoes each year. This season, however, production reached about 13 million metric tons. The extra supply pushed the market down sharply.

New Routes Under Review

Pakistan exports potatoes to countries such as Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, mostly through Afghanistan.

Officials said the Iran route is longer than the Afghan corridor, but it may help ease the pressure. Another possible route through China was discussed, yet it may involve visa issues and higher fuel costs due to mountainous terrain.

The commerce officials present at the meeting noted that the Iran route would take more time compared to the Afghan path. Still, the government sees it as a workable option. The minister added that the prime minister is personally reviewing the matter.

Also read: Why Food Manufacturers Are Picking Potato Starch

Wider Impact

Russia is not currently importing Pakistani potatoes due to quality restrictions imposed in previous years. That limits Pakistan’s export choices further.

Agriculture remains a major part of Pakistan’s economy. It made up 24 percent of GDP in 2024 and provided jobs to more than 37 percent of the labor force, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.

With storage limits already stretched and trade routes blocked, finding a new export path has become urgent for farmers and traders alike.

Pakistan now faces the task of moving surplus potatoes beyond its borders. Whether the Iran corridor can ease the price slump will depend on how quickly the new route becomes active.

Image credit: Potato Insights
News source: Arab News

Key Highlights

• Retailers fear shelf gaps after chemical withdrawals
• UK potato area has already fallen by almost 25%
• Fresh sector may face more pressure than processing
• Seed growers warn of climate and cost risks

The UK potato industry is facing fresh concern after the removal of key crop chemicals. At the British Potato Event, speakers warned that losing products such as Nemathorin could shrink the potato area even further. Retailers worry this may lead to supply gaps in stores.

Retailers Fear Supply Gaps

Phil McCaul of Greenvale told delegates that supermarkets need potatoes on shelves all year. In recent seasons, there have already been short periods when supply or quality fell short.

He said the UK potato area has dropped by almost a quarter in recent years. In a worst-case view, it could fall by more than 40 percent over the next decade.

The fresh potato market may feel the most pressure. Fresh crops require high quality and there are fewer resistant varieties available compared to the processing sector. McCaul said variety development is key for long-term supply, but it takes years of planning and testing before new types reach farms.

Research by Greenvale shows shoppers care about clear cooking guidance on packs. Still, the need for new and stronger varieties remains important for supply security.

Also read: Top 10 Potato Producing Countries in the World

Seed Sector Faces Its Own Strain

At a seminar hosted by GB Potatoes, Aberdeenshire grower Mike Wilson spoke about seed supply. He said his region in Scotland is well suited to growing high-quality seed potatoes, though the process is complex.

Some varieties are dropped after a short time if they do not perform well. Lower yields in 2025 increased costs for growers. While Wilson’s farm was less affected by weaker demand from Egypt than others, falling prices still reduced returns.

Climate change is another worry. The spread of aphids has become a growing problem, adding more risk to seed production.

Wilson’s farm grows 35 different varieties, rotating crops with grass and keeping cattle as part of a mixed system. He aims to produce strong seed with fewer generations before reaching commercial farms. Reducing the time mini-tubers are grown from three years to two has helped speed supply, though it adds cost.

Support and Outlook

Despite fewer crop protection options and rising risks, Wilson said Scotland can continue supplying high-quality seed. He pointed to support from the James Hutton Institute and SASA, along with investment from seed companies.

With chemicals being removed and climate risks rising, the UK potato sector faces a testing period. Growers, seed producers and retailers agree that new varieties and long-term planning will be vital to keep potatoes available year-round.

Image credit: Potato Insights
News Source: fruitnet

Key Highlights

• Output may reach 140–150 lakh tonnes in 2025-26
• Over 20% rise expected due to good weather
• Cold storages to open from March 1
• Storage shortage likely as surplus grows

West Bengal is set to record its highest potato output in five years. Production for 2025-2026 is expected to reach 140–150 lakh tonnes, helped by good weather and a slight rise in cultivation area. The state government has asked cold storage units to open from March 1 to begin loading the new crop.

Harvest Gains Pace

Potato harvesting has already started across the state. Last year, total production stood at around 115 lakh tonnes, which was also considered a strong season. This year, output may rise by more than 20 percent compared to last year.

According to members of the West Bengal Cold Storage Association, favourable weather in key growing districts has supported the crop. The total area under potato farming for 2024-25 was about 5.12 lakh hectares.

Major potato-growing districts include Hooghly, Bardhaman and Paschim Medinipur in South Bengal. Harvesting is expected to continue until March.

Storage Pressure Ahead

West Bengal currently has about 580 cold storages. Most of them are used mainly for potatoes. Together, they can store around 70–80 lakh tonnes.

With production expected to reach up to 150 lakh tonnes, storage space may fall short. Industry members have warned that available capacity might not be enough if output reaches the upper range of estimates.

The state’s average monthly potato consumption is about 6 lakh tonnes. Based on this, nearly 68 lakh tonnes may remain as excess supply this year. This means the government may need to support large-scale inter-state trade to manage the surplus.

Also read: Best Climate and Soil Conditions for Potato Farming

Government Steps

The state government has directed cold storage owners to start operations from March 1 so that farmers can begin storing their produce without delay.

It has also announced that 30 percent of storage space must be kept aside for marginalised farmers. The aim is to prevent distress sales when market prices fall during peak harvest.

With output likely to touch a five-year high, West Bengal faces both opportunity and pressure. Good harvests can help farmers, but managing storage and surplus will be key in the coming months.

Image credit: Potato Insights
Source: BusinessLine

Key Highlights

• Bangladesh processes only a small share of its potato crop
• Most potatoes grown are not fit for factory use
• Weak planning leads to oversupply and price falls
• Farmers bear losses while surplus goes to waste

Bangladesh produces a huge amount of potatoes each year, ranking among the top producers in the world. Yet farmers often suffer when prices drop sharply. Experts say this is not a farming failure. It is a planning and policy issue that keeps potatoes stuck as a side dish instead of a factory input.

Potatoes Seen Only as Food

In Bangladesh, potatoes are mostly treated as a vegetable eaten with rice. This limits how the crop is used. When harvests exceed local demand, prices fall fast. Farmers lose money and surplus crops go unused.

Other countries take a different path. A large share of their potatoes goes into factories making fries, chips, flakes and starch. This helps manage surplus and keeps prices more stable. Bangladesh processes only about 3 to 4 percent of its output, far below global levels.

Potatoes are the second most produced crop in the country after rice. Still, more than one-fourth of the harvest is lost after picking due to weak storage and handling systems.

Wrong Crops and Weak Planning

Industry leaders say most potatoes grown locally are table types, not suitable for factory use. These varieties contain too much moisture and sugar. As a result, they do not perform well when fried or processed.

Factories need potatoes of a certain size and quality, grown in planned volumes. That does not happen often in Bangladesh. Farmers choose crops on their own, without guidance or long-term demand signals.

Storage problems add to the trouble. There is little grading at farm level, limited cold-chain support for factory-grade crops and not enough modern warehouses. All this blocks both processing and exports.

Also read: Top 10 Potato Producing Countries in the World

Too Much Supply, Too Little Use

High prices in the previous season pushed farmers to plant more potatoes. Output then rose well beyond demand. Field prices dropped to Tk 9–11 per kg, while costs stayed much higher. Many farmers ended up in debt.

Cold storage space has grown, but factory capacity remains tiny. Experts say storage alone only delays losses. Without factories to absorb extra supply, prices will keep falling during big harvests.

What Needs to Change

Economists and scientists agree that potatoes must be viewed beyond the kitchen. Better crop planning, contract farming and region-based production can help. New high dry-matter varieties are also needed, along with stronger links between farmers and processors.

Until these gaps are fixed, Bangladesh’s potato surplus will continue to hurt farmers instead of helping the economy.

Bangladesh does not lack potatoes. It lacks planning, processing and clear direction. Without change, farmers will keep paying the price for surplus crops.

Image credit: javier albuja on Unsplash
News source: Kathmandu Post

Key Highlight

• North India’s first aeroponic potato lab is set up in Karnal.
• Potatoes are grown without soil using mist-fed roots.
• The method helps produce clean and healthy seed.
• Farmers earn more by selling seed grown through this method.

Potato farming in Haryana is seeing a clear shift as new methods are being tested and used. In Shamgarh village of Karnal, the Potato Technology Institute has set up North India’s first aeroponic laboratory for potato cultivation. Work on this method began four years ago and is now showing consistent results.

Potatoes grown without soil

At the Potato Technology Institute, potatoes are grown without soil. Instead of planting in fields, plants are suspended while their roots receive water through fine mist. Manoj Bhanukar, who heads the institute, said this system allows fast plant growth without direct watering.

He explained that only two or three potato types were tested at first. Over time, the results improved and work is now being done on around seven potato varieties.

Focus on clean seed production

The main goal of the institute is to provide good-quality seed to farmers. In aeroponic farming, very small seed tubers, known as mini tubers, are produced. These are used for further planting and are known to give better results in the field.

Unlike normal farming, where large potatoes are saved for seed, this method produces small and uniform tubers. Bhanukar said the institute has not seen fungus or major disease since using this method. This allows farmers to receive clean seed that helps improve crop output.

Also read: Aeroponics vs Traditional Potato Farming: Costs, Yields & Benefits

Varieties under testing

The institute is working on both table and processing potato varieties. These include Kufri Chip Sona-1 and Kufri Fry Sona. Other varieties such as Kufri Himalini, Kufri Uday and Kufri Pushkar are also part of ongoing work.

One plant grown through this method can produce up to 35 mini tubers. This is far more than what is usually seen in field-grown crops. Bhanukar said overall output rises by more than 10 percent using this system.

Better income for farmers

Seeds produced at the institute are sold to farmers at Rs 4 per kg. Farmers then grow their own seed and sell it at rates between Rs 35 and Rs 40 per kg. Many farmers from across Haryana visit the institute to buy seed.

The Haryana government, along with the Agriculture Department, is now helping farmers adopt this method. Support is being given to farmers who want to use aeroponics to produce their own seed.

With clean seed, better output and lower disease risk, aeroponic farming is helping farmers in Haryana improve potato production. The method is now moving beyond trials and into wider farm use across the state.

News Source: ETV Bharat
Image credit: Potato Insights

Key Highlight

• Punjab scientists have produced a potato variety that can handle smog.
• The variety, called Ijaz-22, was developed in Sahiwal.
• Smog has been hurting potato yields across eastern Punjab.
• More smog-tolerant potato lines are now under testing.

Scientists in Pakistan’s Punjab province have created a potato variety that can tolerate smog, offering hope to farmers facing heavy air pollution each winter. The variety, known as Ijaz-22, was developed at the Potato Research Institute in Sahiwal and is designed to cope with poor air quality that has been affecting crop yields.

Smog hurting crops each winter

Every winter, cities across eastern Punjab rank among the world’s most polluted due to thick smog. This air pollution does not only affect health but also harms farming. Long exposure to smog weakens crops, slows growth and makes plants more open to pests and disease. Potato crops are among those most affected.

Poor air quality also delays harvests and lowers tuber quality. Scientists say smog blocks sunlight, which reduces photosynthesis and weakens plant growth. Over time, this leads to falling output and rising risks for farmers.

New variety shows strong results

Scientists at the Potato Research Institute in Sahiwal have been working on potato lines that can handle fog and smog. According to the institute’s director, Dr. Syed Ijazul Hassan, Ijaz-22 has shown strong tolerance during smoggy conditions in Punjab.

He said the institute has already created 12 potato varieties that can tolerate fog and give good yields. The current focus is now on testing and improving lines that can survive smog, which has become a growing problem in recent years.

Also read: Aeroponics vs Traditional Potato Farming: Costs, Yields & Benefits

Climate and disease pressures remain

Dr. Hassan said smog is not the only challenge facing potato growers. Rising temperatures, changes in rainfall and less available water are also affecting production. These factors weaken crops and increase disease risks.

He explained that smog supports the spread of diseases such as blight and lowers overall tuber quality. Other common potato diseases in Punjab include leafroll virus, mosaic virus, early blight, brown leaf spot, common scab and black leg.

To reduce losses, he called for better pest control planning and farming practices that protect soil and plant health.

Seed supply and export hopes

This year, the institute produced 60 tons of potato seed, with 4.55 tons shared with farmers. Grower groups say Pakistan has strong export potential, with potatoes already shipped to many countries. China is seen as a key market during the January to April export season.

With smog becoming a yearly threat, smog-tolerant potato varieties like Ijaz-22 may help protect farmer incomes and food supply. Scientists say more work is underway to support growers facing tougher growing conditions.

Source: Arab News
Image credit: Yen Vu on Unsplash

Key Highlight

• KVK Zunheboto shared 5,000 kg of potato seeds with local farmers.
• Thirteen pedal-operated paddy threshers were also given out.
• A five-day residential training on natural farming is underway.
• The programme aims to raise yields and cut input costs.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Zunheboto has given potato seeds and farm tools to farmers while running a residential training programme on natural farming. The activity is part of ongoing efforts to support small farmers and improve crop output in the district.

Seeds and tools shared with farmers

KVK Zunheboto, working with the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, distributed 5,000 kg of the Kufri Jyoti potato seed variety. The seeds were shared under the North Eastern Hill (NEH) Programme and are meant to help farmers raise potato output in the region.

Along with seeds, KVK also handed out 13 pedal-operated paddy threshers. These tools are expected to make harvesting easier for small farmers and reduce the need for heavy manual work. The support is aimed at helping farmers manage their crops with less effort and lower costs.

Training on natural farming underway

At the same time, KVK Zunheboto is holding a five-day residential training programme under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). The programme began on December 10 and includes Community Resource Persons and Krishi Sakhis from different areas.

The training focuses on farming methods that avoid chemical inputs. Sessions include both classroom talks and hands-on field work to help participants understand how these methods can be used on their own farms.

Also read: Aeroponics vs Traditional Potato Farming: Costs, Yields & Benefits

Topics covered during sessions

Scientists from KVK Zunheboto led sessions on several topics. These included the value of natural farming, seed production methods, crop choices suited to the district and ways to improve food quality for farm families. The role of Farmer-Producer Organizations was also discussed to help farmers work together and improve market access.

Practical sessions showed how to prepare bio-formulations, carry out mulching and set up vermicomposting units. These activities were designed to give participants clear steps they can follow after returning to their villages.

Support for field adoption

Dr Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia, Principal Scientist and Head of KVK Zunheboto, spoke about the role of cattle rearing in natural farming systems. He said livestock plays an important part in supporting soil health and farm inputs.

To help farmers apply what they learned, KVK shared bilingual technical folders along with seeds. These materials are meant to guide farmers during actual field work.

Through seed distribution, farm tools and hands-on training, KVK Zunheboto aims to support farmers in improving output while using simple and low-cost farming methods. The programme is expected to help farmers apply these practices in the coming seasons.

Source: Morung Eexpress
Image credit: Morung Express