Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) has urged the government to ensure uninterrupted power supply in 335 private cold storages across the country to save potatoes worth Tk 1,450 crore.
"If smooth power supply is not ensured in cold storages, all the preserved crops, including a large quantity of potatoes, will perish, said the BCSA leaders at a press conference in Dhaka yesterday.
The association urged the government to address the crisis immediately.
"A cold storage needs 380 to 440 voltage of power to keep agricultural products fresh, but presently, we get low voltage and face 2-3 hours power outage everyday", M Jasim Uddin, president of the BCSA told the conference.
The BCSA also demanded 15 percent rebate on electricity bill as per the government policy of providing facility for the agriculture-based industries.
"During the load-shedding, we try to keep our units operational using diesel and petrol run generators. But it is not possible to use generators all the time due to high fuel prices," Jasim said.
Potato seeds worth Tk 720 crore and consumable potatoes worth Tk 1,450 crore are preserved in different cold storages in the country.
Shah Rashidul Hasan Farhad, vice president of the BCSA, and M Nurul Islam and AKM Samsudhoha, former presidents of BCSA, were also present at the press conference.
