Prices of crop-protection products in the markets of Matlab Uttar upazila in Chandpur have risen by an average of 10 to 20 percent in a year, and some essential products have doubled. Sellers say companies are raising prices at will; some products have gone up three times in six months.

Thiovit, a fungicide and miticide, has risen from Tk 145-150 a kg to Tk 300. A 20-litre drum of the herbicide paraquat has gone from Tk 4,200 to Tk 6,500. Microthiol, under Tk 300 six months ago, now sells at Tk 395 a kg. The fungicide Mancer costs Tk 200 for 100 ml and Tk 900 for 500 ml.

The insecticide Marshal (500 ml) has risen from Tk 830 to Tk 985 and Mortar by 20 percent; Sumithion is up Tk 250 a carton and Trafs (100 ml) from Tk 170 to Tk 205.

Aziz Mia, a farmer in the Islamabad area, said he has to rush to the shop when pests attack his crop and hears a new price every time; medicine that cost Tk 300 six months ago now costs Tk 400. "Our production costs just keep rising," he said. A pesticide trader who asked not to be named said companies set new rates every so often and traders have to buy wholesale at the higher price.

Besides price, sellers and farmers are also said to use pesticides indiscriminately in the field. Matlab Uttar upazila agriculture officer Faisal Mohammad Ali said the office was working to monitor the pesticide market and keep prices bearable, and was advising farmers on balanced and measured use.

Reported by the Matlab (Chandpur) correspondent of Desh Rupantor.

Source: Desh Rupantor