Murikata onion planting is under way in Faridpur and farmers are busy. Planting has already been completed on 75 per cent of the target area. Seed and irrigation costs have not risen, but farmers are worried about fertiliser. They allege that some fertilisers are in short supply and that extra prices are being charged. Dealers deny the allegation, and agriculture officials say any complaint will be looked into.

Every year farmers start early murikata onion cultivation between the last week of September and the first week of October. The onions can be lifted within 90 days of planting, and farmers grow this type early in hopes of profit. This year, however, several spells of rain at the end of September and the start of October delayed planting somewhat.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), murikata onion is grown in Faridpur's Sadar, Boalmari, Saltha, Bhanga, Charbhadrasan and Sadarpur upazilas. Depending on land preparation, farmers have been planting for more than two weeks this season. The target this season is 5,285 hectares, of which more than 3,500 hectares have been planted. The production target is 83,000 tonnes.

Farmers allege that an artificial fertiliser shortage is being shown in local markets to extract extra prices. As a result, many cannot collect fertiliser on time, planting is delayed and they are losing out. They fear this could affect murikata onion cultivation and output. Rising prices of onion seed, fertiliser, pesticide and labour could also push up production costs. Ensuring fair fertiliser prices is essential to meet the target and grow onions at a fair cost.

In the fields, farmers are busy: some preparing land, some planting, some irrigating. Those who planted early are tending seedlings, clearing weeds and spraying pesticide. Onion farmer Abdul Jabbar of Ambikapur in Faridpur Sadar told Jago News: "Fertiliser sellers in the market are selling above the government-set price. With fertiliser so expensive, our farming costs are rising a lot. Many are not getting fertiliser on time."

Latif Mir, a farmer in the Darga Gotti area of Saltha, said: "This time I have planted murikata onion on 2 bighas. The price of guti onion is somewhat lower this year, but fertiliser and pesticide prices have risen by Tk 500-700 a sack. A labourer's wage is Tk 800. Even so, we don't get fertiliser from dealers on time."

Farmer Mokles Sheikh said: "So far the seedlings look good. If it stays like this, the yield will be good too, and I can bring murikata onion to market in about two months. Costs will rise because fertiliser, pesticide and labour are expensive. If farmers don't get a matching price, they will lose out."

Azad Ali said: "The cost per bigha will be more than about one lakh taka. Overall, production costs will be higher than before. The onion will reach market in January. If the price is not above 3,000 then, there will be a loss."

Malik Mondal, a farmer from Ambikapur in Faridpur municipality, said: "We are not getting fertiliser at the set price. We can't find it when we need it and on time, and when we do, we have to pay extra. This extra price is causing problems for small farmers like us."

Dealers say the allegations of shortage and overcharging are not true. Because they do not get enough subsidised fertiliser to meet demand, they have to buy from outside at higher prices and sell to farmers. Agriculture officials say they are monitoring to ensure farmers get fertiliser at fair prices as needed.

Abdul Kayes of M/s Nur Traders in Ambikapur said: "Fertiliser is being sold at the government-set price. But we don't know whether retailers who buy from dealers are charging more."

Agriculturist Md Shahaduzzaman, deputy director of the DAE in Faridpur, said: "If farmers have complaints of overcharging for fertiliser, the numbers of the agriculture extension officer and other monitoring authorities are displayed at dealer points, where they can complain. If we receive complaints, we will certainly look into them. Farmers should collect fertiliser from dealer points."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.