Kansat mango market faces weighing system crisis

Thousands of mango farmers in Shibganj’s Kansat market are facing losses as the long-standing “dhollon” (weight deduction) system continues to reduce their earnings despite a good harvest this season.

Every year, mango farmers are reportedly forced to accept significant weight deductions during sales.

This season, mangoes are being sold at 55-56 kg per maund instead of the standard 40 kg, according to farmers. Although the market remains active, growers say they are not receiving fair profits.

Farmers claim that despite a good yield, rising production and transportation costs, along with alleged syndicate control by brokers and traders, have worsened the situation.

They said that just a decade ago, the deduction was only 2-3 kg per maund, but it has now increased to 15-16 kg. They fear it may rise further in the coming weeks.

They also alleged that powerful syndicates of wholesalers and intermediaries have strengthened over time.

Although divisional authorities, in coordination with the local administration, had earlier decided that no mango market in the Rajshahi Division would allow more than 40 kg per maund, farmers say the decision has not been implemented.

Farmer Moshal Chan said, “The mango yield is good this year, but for the past five years we have been suffering losses due to the dhollon system and other complications.”

Kansat Mango Aratdar Association General Secretary Omar Farooq Tipu said that certain groups create instability in the market every season by demanding an unrealistic 40 kg per maund rule, even though mango is a perishable product and cannot be traded under such fixed conditions.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mazharul Islam said that, as per directives from the Divisional Commissioner, traders and farmers have been informed about the 40 kg per maund standard, and market inspections have been carried out.

A mango seller from Koylabari in Shahbazpur Union, Mostafa, said emotionally, “We are forced to sell 54-56 kg per maund at Kansat market. Even the administration cannot stop this system because of the syndicate. We are losing all our profit.”

Another seller from Tanore said that the weighing system has turned mango farmers into “beasts of burden,” adding that fixing 52-56 kg per maund is unheard of anywhere else in the world.

Aratdars (commission agents), however, denied the allegations. They said no farmer is forced to sell under pressure and that the system continues voluntarily.

They also argued that mango is a perishable fruit and 2-3 kg of weight loss is natural due to handling and processing.

Aratdar Rabiul Islam said that every year during peak season, disputes over weighing methods lead to repeated tensions.

He added that although there have been multiple decisions at upazila, district, and divisional levels to fix 40 kg per maund, implementation has not been possible due to a lack of consensus among stakeholders.

During the ongoing season, mangoes from Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Naogaon, and Sapahar in Porsha, among other areas, are brought to Kansat-the largest mango market in South Asia, spanning around 16 km-in hopes of better prices.

However, farmers say rising production costs, along with weight deductions and market fees, are putting additional pressure on them.