BAGHA, RAJSHAHI, Jan 23: Farmers in the Padma char areas of Bagha Upazila in Rajshahi are busy harvesting a bumper crop of onions, but many are disappointed as prices remain low. Hundreds of labourers are engaged in collecting onions from the fields.
At Chokrajapur market in Padma char, wholesale prices ranged between Tk 25 and Tk 30 per kilogram on Monday last, leaving farmers struggling to cover production costs.
Rabiul Islam of Palashifatepur char said, "At the current market rate, it will be difficult to make a profit. The cost of seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides is much higher than before. Many farmers have already started selling their produce this season."
Female laborers from Kalidaskhali char - Ambia Begum, Sumi Akter, and Asma Begum - said that farmers prefer planting early-harvest onions for better profits. "This season, with these prices, costs will not be recovered. Some farmers could face losses of Tk 10,000-15,000 per bigha," they added.
Babul Dewan, an onion grower from Chokrajapur char, said, "I cultivated onions on three bighas this year, expecting good prices. Although the yield is bumper, the price is low. Many farmers who cultivated larger areas are not earning profits this season."
Local onion trader Akram Hossain said that two varieties - Dhymna and Chara - are mainly grown in the area. "Chara onions can be stored longer and are widely cultivated in Padma char areas," he explained.
Sujon Ali, an onion farmer from Khayerhat, said, "I leased four bighas of land in Padma char for a year at Tk 1,20,000 to grow onions. Seeds, fertilisers, and labour cost an additional Tk 1 lakh. The market price is not sufficient to cover expenses."
Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan said that onion cultivation has increased across the upazila. "While the target was 3,500 hectares, over 4,500 hectares were cultivated this season, mainly in Padma char areas," he said.
Farmers hope for better market support to ensure they can recover costs and sustain production in future seasons.
