February 20, 2025
DHAKA – Farmers, joined by local political activists, staged a protest today against the increased potato storage fees in front of Sarker Cold Storage Pvt Ltd in Rajshahi.
The demonstration began around 11:00 am at Shishu Paribar ground before moving towards Vaya Bazar.
Protesters claimed that the recent hike in cold storage charges was unfair and exploitative.
Previously, storing a 50-kilogramme sack of potatoes cost Tk 340, they said.
However, a per-kg charge of Tk 8 has now been imposed, nearly doubling the storage cost, they added.
“Every year, we suffer due to price hikes. If they increase it again, we will launch a massive movement. If our children can form a movement to build a better country, why can’t we fight for fair storage prices?” one farmer said during the protest.
“We will not allow even a single paisa increase.”
Local activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami accused cold storage owners of ignoring repeated appeals for lower prices.
“They are exploiting farmers by imposing excessive charges,” the political workers said.
“If necessary, we will lock down every cold storage.”
Former Tanore Municipality mayor Mizanur Rahman Mizan demanded that the rate be fixed at Tk 4 per kg and urged farmers to boycott storage facilities charging higher fees.
Another political activist blamed a syndicate for the price hike, vowing stronger protests if the rate was not reduced.
While speaking to The Daily Star, Md Ruhul Amin, manager of Sarker Cold Storage Pvt Ltd, defended the price hike, stating that the increase is minimal.
“Last year, the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association set the rate at Tk 7 per kg. This year, it has been increased to Tk 8 per kg. The traditional method of calculating charges per sack (50 kg) has been replaced with a per-kilogram system to ensure transparency,” he explained.
He further clarified that under the previous system, farmers stored sacks weighing up to 70 kg but were charged based on a 50 kg rate.
“This led to miscalculations. Now, we will charge based on the actual weight stored,” he said. “If electricity tariffs and VAT are reduced, we may reconsider lowering the charges.”