Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
In the current situation of the country, the purchase and sale of vegetables has decreased at an unusual rate in Ishwardi due to the suspension of transportation. This has reduced the price of vegetables. As a result, the farmers are in trouble. Due to agitation and curfew, drivers do not want to go anywhere including Dhaka.
Muladuli’s wholesale market and Ishwardi market are known to be sold at a price of 50 taka per kg for 15 taka per kg. Also, various vegetables including rice pumpkin, sweet pumpkin, radish, shrimp are being sold at water prices. As the wholesalers of different districts including the capital did not come, the sale of Muladuli vegetables is comparatively less. Every day at least 15 trucks of vegetables are loaded from this vegetable garden to different parts of the country including the capital Dhaka. After anti-discrimination student movement and imposition of curfew, an average of 4-5 trucks are plying in Dhaka alone from vegetable market every day. Car fares for transporting vegetables have almost doubled from normal.
Meanwhile, radish, sweet pumpkin and rice pumpkin are mostly sold in the upazila’s Chargargari market on the banks of the Padma. Sweet pumpkin-rice pumpkin produced in Padma pastures are imported in large quantities in this market. In the last 5-7 days, sales have decreased at an unusual rate in this market. Also, the price of sweet pumpkin and rice pumpkin has reduced by Tk 15 to Tk 20 per kg.
Enamul Islam, farmer of Baghachla said, “I sold the rice at the price of 15 taka at Muladuli. But before the complete curtdown, on July 17, I sold half a dozen at the rate of Tk 50 per kg. I was shocked to see a drop of Tk. 35 per kg in a span of fifteen days.
Ali Hossain, farmer of Sheikhpara said, that the vegetable market is always more or less up and down. But 50 taka per kg will become 14-15 taka, it cannot be accepted. The cost of production of sorghum per kg is above 20 taka. There is a loss by selling it at 15 taka per kg.
