, March 5 -- A sharp fall in potato prices at the start of the harvesting season has plunged farmers in the northern region into deep uncertainty, with many forced to sell their produce at rates lower than production costs.

Growers say the situation has left them counting losses instead of profits as market prices fail to cover rising expenses for seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, labour and transportation.

In Rangpur City Market on Sunday, potatoes were retailing at Tk 10-12 per kilogram while production costs range between Tk 14 and Tk 22 per kilogram.

Farmers claim they are incurring losses of Tk 2-3 per kg on average, with wholesale prices hovering at Tk 15-17 per kg.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bang...