Ishwardi farmers in trouble as price of winter vegetables drops

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

Compared to other crops, vegetable production is now very profitable for farmers. Because compared to other crops, the yield and return are both higher in vegetables. That is why vegetable production in Ishwardi has increased almost 10 times in the last 10 years. But as the supply in the market increases, the prices of winter vegetables have fallen drastically. In this situation, the farmers are in trouble by cultivating vegetables.
In a span of fifteen days, there has been a huge fall in the prices of vegetables in Ishwardi. And in just 7 days this price drop has reached the lowest level. On Saturday (December 28), cauliflower, cabbage and beans were sold at the rate of 320 to 400 manas, i.e. 8 to 10 taka per kg in the local wholesale market. In Lakshikunda char area, green pepper is being sold at the rate of 800 taka maund i.e. 20 taka per kg. Cauliflower, cabbage and beans were seen to be sold at retail for Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kg and green chillies at Tk 30 to Tk 40 per kg. But even 15 days ago, coppice and beans were sold at Tk 50-60 and green chillies at Tk 60-80 per kg. Only 7 days ago, the price of coppice and beans was Tk 40 per kg. Besides, the price of radish has decreased by 5-7 taka in wholesale and 10 taka in retail. All other winter vegetables have also been affected by the fall in prices.
Vegetables traders Sanjay Sarkar said that now a large quantity of winter vegetables are being imported in the market. As supply is greater than demand, prices have fallen drastically. Consumers are relieved by the decline in vegetable prices, but farmers are in trouble. Despite the increase in production cost, vegetables have to be sold at lower prices in the market, resulting in losses for farmers.
Azagar Ali, a Thane farmer, said that the cost of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and labor wages have increased a lot. On top of that, the capital is not coming due to selling vegetables at low prices. Because it costs about 15 taka to produce 1 cauliflower. And that copy is being sold for 7-8 taka.
President of Farmers Development Society Siddiqur Rahman Moyez said that no one cares about the farmers in the country, due to the lack of fair market management and conservation system, the farmers are constantly facing losses.
Hamidul Isl am, a school teacher in the market, said that the bag was full after buying vegetables for Tk 100. But 15 days ago, they did not fill bags with vegetables worth 500 taka. However, it would be better if the price of fish and meat decreased.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarkar said that the price has fallen due to the increase in supply in the market. Farmers got good prices for early vegetables. A project called ‘Bangla Shape’ has been taken up for cultivation in understanding the time and market demand. In this regard, farmers are being trained to produce vegetables according to time and market demand. Many small farmers do not understand this. The big farmers understand well that they are selling at high prices.