Bangladesh

Rangpur Division is the leading region for potato cultivation in Bangladesh, with Thakurgaon Sadar especially renowned for its high-quality, export-grade potatoes. Other major potato-producing districts include Dinajpur, Bogura, Rajshahi, Pabna, Mymensingh, and areas around Dhaka. Potato farming in Bangladesh is primarily concentrated during the winter season (October to March), benefiting from the country's favorable agro-ecological conditions.

The Tuber Crops Research Centre (TCRC) under the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) plays a crucial role in the development and release of improved potato varieties in Bangladesh. Popular varieties grown include Alouette, Carolus, Levante, Diamant, Adato, Fontane, Twinner, and Beyonce, with newer export-oriented varieties like ‘Sunshine’ gaining traction for their fast growth and high yields.

Bangladesh potato exports reach multiple international markets such as Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, UAE, Brunei, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Lebanon, with Malaysia being the top importer, followed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Potatoes were introduced to Bengal in the 1770s during British colonial rule, promoted by a British governor amid efforts to improve food security following the devastating Great Bengal Famine of 1770. Within about a century, potatoes became a well-established garden vegetable in Bengal. However, large-scale production was initially limited because the available potato varieties were not well adapted to the hot and humid conditions of the Bengali plains.