Chilli growers in Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur planted more this year, but at the height of the season they are not getting a price that covers their costs. Traders at the upazila's markets are buying green chilli from farmers at 15 to 17 taka a kilo, while shoppers in the same upazila pay 70 to 80 taka. The same chilli sells for 90 to 100 taka a kilo at wholesale depots in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram.
On Friday (6 November) at Gabergram, the upazila's biggest green chilli market, the wholesale price was 15 taka a kilo, or 600 taka a maund. Rasel Khan, a grower from Char Shubhagachha, said prices were good when picking began but have since fallen at the wholesale market.
Shipon, also from Char Shubhagachha in Balijuri union, said higher prices of fertiliser, pesticide and irrigation pushed his cost to 45,000 to 50,000 taka a bigha this season, which today's prices will not recover.
Abdul Khaleque of Jorkhali union grew the high-yielding Moynamoti variety on three bighas under polythene mulch. Ploughing, irrigation, seed, fertiliser and pesticide, transport and labour all cost more than last year, he said, and getting fertiliser was a struggle too. Without a better price, he expects a heavy loss.
According to the upazila office of the Department of Agricultural Extension, the target this season was 750 hectares of chilli, but 1,050 hectares have been planted. Of these, 300 hectares are early chilli and 25 hectares are grown under polythene mulch. The most common varieties are Moynamoti, Green Super, Naga Fire, Bijli, Green Star, Super and Premium.
Upazila agriculture officer Md Habibur Rahman said that with the area above target, green chilli output could pass 42,000 tonnes this year. After local demand is met, chilli goes to Dhaka, Sylhet, Chattogram, Narayanganj and other districts. More than 200 farmers received incentives, he said, and growers were given advice and technical help to expand polythene mulching.
Reported by Ittefaq's Madarganj (Jamalpur) correspondent.
Photo: Mamun Srizon / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Source: Ittefaq
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