New onions have started appearing in the market in Rajbari district. Due to favorable weather conditions, more onions have been planted in Rajbari this time than the target, as a result of which the market has turned sour. Thus, there is no smile on the face of the farmer.
They complained that the price at which onions are being sold in the market is far from fair, the cost of production is not rising and farmers are worried about the import of Indian onions in the market. Rajbari Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Bahauddin Sek said that farmers are losing money due to low prices in the market.
It is known that onion is one of the most important spice crops. Rajbari district is the third largest producer of onion in the country. The district produces 14% of the total onions produced in the country. Although onion is cultivated in less than five upazilas of the district, more onions are cultivated in Pangsha, Baliakandi and Kalukhali upazilas.
In this district, farmers cultivate murikata and hali onion. Now the farmers are busy collecting onions from the field. The men are picking onions from the field and putting them in the backyard. The women are cleaning the onion and preparing it for sale. But the farmers are disappointed with the market price of onion.
According to the District Agriculture Extension Department, due to favorable weather conditions, the Department of Agriculture has achieved its target for onion cultivation this season. This year, onion has been planted in 34,065 hectares of land in Rajbari. This is 2,085 hectares more than last year. Of these, 5,215 hectares have been planted with mulberry, 195 hectares with kadam (ink) and 29,455 hectares with fresh onion. The rate of production has increased due to higher cultivation. This year 4 lakh 42 thousand 696 metric tons of onion will be produced in the district.
On the spot, various hats and bazaars including Baliakandi, Narua Baharpur and Banibah of Rajbari can be seen. Scattering of onions around the market. The market is abuzz with the shouts of wholesalers. However, farmers are disappointed with the drop in prices due to massive supply. Feeling depressed sitting in front of their own produced onions. There is not much interest in bargaining.
Onion growers said that the best quality onion is being sold at a wholesale price of Tk 600 to Tk 800 per maund. The production cost is not rising. As a result, they have to count the losses. Farmers claim that they are losing up to 600/700 Tk per maund. Due to the low cost of onion in the market, the loss is more than the profit. Farmers demand to stop import of onions from India. Otherwise, the losses of onion growers will increase further.
Amirul Islam Amir, an onion farmer from Jamalpur in Baliakandi upazila of Rajbari, said that up to 24,000 Tk has been spent on onion cultivation in 22 percent of the land. This year the yield was not so good due to heavy rains. 30 maunds of onion will be produced per bigha land. At the current market price, the price of 30 maund of onion is 21,000 Tk. Where the loss is going to 3 thousand rupees. The amount of loss is more for those who cultivate on contract land for years.
Yaqub Ali, a farmer from Narua Union, said he has planted onions in four bighas of land this year. On an average, he has spent Tk 20,000 to Tk 22,000 per bigha of land. He also said that he will not see any profit this time as the market price of onion is low.
Abul Patwari, a farmer in Harinbaria area of Kalukhali upazila, said there is no price for onion in the market at present. The mind is being sold for 800 to 500 Tk. But if we sell at this price, we will not have any profit. 1400 to 1500 Tk will be of some benefit to us. Also, onions are not going to be kept in the house for long, so they are forced to sell at lower prices.
Rajbari district Krishka League leader Raju Ahmed said, "We have visited a few markets." In each market, traders are taking 3 to 4 kg of dhalta per ounce. This system needs to be saved. This year, farmers are losing money by selling onions.
Md. Hasan Ali, Ardar of Baharpur Bazar, said that at present the supply of onion in the market is high. That is why the price of onion is low. However, if the price is low, it is difficult for the farmer to survive.
SM Shahid Noor Akbar, Deputy Director, Rajbari Agriculture Extension Department, said, “We have surpassed our target in onion production this year. Although some onion fields were damaged due to cyclone Jawad and hostile weather, our agriculture department has advised the farmers to go to the field level. He added that the price of onion is a little lower now due to the busy season. However, the price of onion will increase. The official of the agriculture department claimed that the onion fruit has been good in Rajbari this year.