RAJSHAHI, June 19: Farmers across Rajshahi and the Barind region say they are suffering mounting financial losses as market prices of major agricultural products continue to remain below production costs, leaving many unable to recover their investment.
Since last year, growers have struggled to secure what they describe as fair prices for paddy, mangoes, onions, garlic and potatoes. Many have reportedly exhausted their savings, while others are facing rising bank loan interest or difficulties repaying agricultural loans.
The region is now in the peak harvesting season for Boro paddy and mangoes. Although freshly harvested paddy is reaching households and mango trees are laden with fruit, farmers say there is little reason to celebrate.
Paddy prices have fallen to their lowest level in a year, with a maund (40kg) selling for Tk 800 to Tk 900 in local markets, according to farmers. They say the current price is insufficient to cover production costs.
Mango growers are also struggling as prices have dropped sharply during the peak season. Farmers said ripe mangoes are being left on trees because of weak demand and low market prices, raising fears of heavy financial losses.
The losses are not limited to paddy and mangoes. Farmers said many who cultivated potatoes, onions and garlic over the past year have failed not only to recover production costs but also lost their capital.
"We are not concerned about the size of the national budget. All we want is a fair price for the crops we produce," several farmers said.
Local paddy traders attributed the sluggish market to slow purchases by rice mill owners ahead of bank account closing at the end of June. They expressed hope that prices might improve in July.
Hazrat Ali, a farmer from Bagmarapara Village under Mundumala Municipality in Tanore Upazila, cultivated BRRI dhan-76 on 25 bighas of land this Boro season.
He said he harvested the crop using machinery and approached several local traders to sell his paddy, but most were unwilling to buy. Eventually, one trader agreed to purchase it at Tk 800 per maund.
"I spent heavily on irrigation and other inputs. Selling paddy at Tk 800 per maund will not even cover my production costs. I expect to lose at least Tk 50,000," he said.
Hazrat Ali is not alone. Thousands of paddy growers across the region are reportedly facing similar losses due to depressed market prices, causing widespread frustration among farmers.
Farmers said hundreds of potato growers have suffered substantial losses since last year because of low prices. Some have reportedly struggled to repay bank loans, while others fear facing similar financial hardship this year.
Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj are among the country's leading mango-producing districts.
Mango growers said they had not witnessed such low prices in the past decade. They claimed buyers are scarce this season, with mangoes selling for only Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kilogram, far below the level needed to recover production costs.
Onion and garlic farmers are also facing financial difficulties. Onions are currently selling for Tk 30 to Tk 35 per kilogram, while garlic prices range between Tk 60 and Tk 70 per kilogram.
Garlic growers said prices would need to reach around Tk 200 per kilogram for cultivation to become profitable.
Two garlic farmers named Jahangir from Panchandar Village in Tanore Upazila said they were forced to sell last year's harvest at throwaway prices. They cultivated two bighas again this year but have kept the harvested garlic at home in the hope of better prices.
"If prices remain as low as last year, we will stop cultivating garlic," they said.
