Vegetables supply in Ishwardi market ample

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

Compared to other years, this time there is sufficient supply of all types of vegetables in Iswardi market. Fresh vegetables have been arranged in shops. Prices are also within the reach of consumers. Vendors said that almost all vegetables except fenugreek, brinjal, jhinge, bitter gourd, kachu and kankrol are being sold below 50 taka. Some vegetables are also being sold below 20 taka per kg. In the meantime, winter cauliflower and radish have arrived in the market. As the prices are within reach, buyers are relieved.
Before last Ramadan, the prices of most vegetables, including potatoes, green peppers, and onions, were out of reach. Now, potatoes are 20 taka per kilogram, onions are 50 taka, and green peppers are only 40 taka per kilogram.
On Sunday (June 29), a visit to the Ishwardi Raw Market showed that the prices of almost all types of vegetables are at a tolerable level. The prices of vegetables range from 20 to 50 taka. However, tomatoes cost 120 taka per kg. Eggplant and kachur are 50 taka per kg, cucumbers 30-40 taka, papaya-30, patol 25 taka, jhinge and bhendi 15-20 taka. Winter cauliflower is being sold at 40-50 taka and radish at 20 taka per kg. Gourd and rice pumpkin are being sold at 30-40 taka each, raw banana leaves are being sold at 20-25 taka, sweet pumpkin is being sold at 20-25 taka per kg, and red and green leafy vegetables are being sold at 10 taka.
Sanjay Sarkar of the wholesale store said that in other years, the prices of vegetables are out of reach of buyers at this time. This time, due to adequate supply of vegetables in the market, they are being sold at much lower prices. However, there is a huge difference in prices in the retail market compared to the wholesale market. If these were monitored, consumers could buy vegetables at even lower prices.
Jewel, a vegetable retailer at the market, said that in other years, the supply of vegetables used to be low in May-June. Now that situation is not there. There is ample supply of all types of vegetables, and the prices are also tolerable. Sales are also good. Winter cauliflower is being sold at 40-50 taka per kg. Whereas earlier, cauliflower was not available in the market at this time. And even when it was available, the price per kg was over 100 taka. So people are feeling comfortable buying vegetables. No one has any complaints, and they do not haggle over the price.
Asif Julius, who came to buy vegetables, said, “Now they are available at much lower prices than before, but if such a comfortable market is always there and there are no syndicates, we, the lower middle class, will be better off.”
President of Bangladesh Farmers Development Society, National Medalist Farmer Siddiqur Rahman Moyez, said, “Ishwardi is the best country in producing all kinds of vegetables. If vegetables are produced in a planned and database-based manner, not only will farmers benefit, but consumers will also be able to buy vegetables at fair prices.” The Agricultural Marketing Department must play an effective role in protecting the interests of consumers and farmers.
Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarkar said that a large amount of vegetables are being produced in seven unions and municipal areas. Among them, Salimpur, Laxmikunda and Muladuli unions produce the most. Earlier, they were available at low prices only in winter. Now, as production is carried out throughout the year, vegetables are available at low prices due to increased supply in the market.