Readers’ Voice

Munshiganj hub for onion growing, storage

Since two decades Munshiganj has been hub for potato growing in Bangladesh. Potato grows in all districts nowadays. Production of potato has cross annual demand. Quantity of export is not encouraging. Government provides 20 per cent cash incentive to potato exporters but negligible quantity has been exported during last a few years. On the other hand, even increasing production of onion in recent years, we could not grow enough onions to cater our full need.
In this situation I have a proposal. Agriculture Extension Department should motivate potato farmers of Munshiganj to dedicate half of their potato fields to grow onion. Along with motivation farmers should be encouraged providing onion seeds, fertilizer and know-how for growing and preserve onions. As there are many potato cold storages in Munshiganj half of the capacity of each potato cold storage should be kept reserve for storing onions. This measure will assist the country to grow enough onions and store onions for lien season. This program will reduce production of excess potato and potato growers will get reasonable price for their produce. In Dhaka retail market potato is available at Tk 15/ per kg now. After transport cost, profit of whole seller, profit of retailers farmers are not getting more than Tk 7/ per kg. They should get Tk 10/ minimum. Owing to excess production farmers are incurring lose. On the other hand, consumers are buying Tk 20/ kg onion at Tk 45/ to 50/ in Dhaka city. We need to increase onion production to fullfil the gap between demand and supply and balance right of farmers and consumers.

Md Ashraf Hossain
Bashabo, Dhaka

Global warming

For centuries people did their work by hand or with the help of animals. That process did not harm the environment and climate but rather helped to cherish the environment. However, the situation changed by AD 1800.
Until now, people have been searching for comfort in machinery and engines. In the process, they forgot to think about the environment that would be destroyed by machinery. Global warming is caused by machinery like cars, motorcycles, and factories emitting harmful gases that warm the environment. It is believed that in 2070 the warmth will increase by 30 degrees. If it continues to increase so, people will not be able to live. It is now the duty of the world to see some sources to reduce the level of warming.

Zubaida Bahot
From Internet