Tomatoes have been grown widely in the char areas of Nagarpur in Tangail, and the pesticide-free crop has given a bumper yield this year. But with prices currently low, farmers are worried and frustrated. Tomatoes from the area meet local demand and go to the capital and across the country. The agriculture department says it is giving farmers all-round support.

Farmers said: "Although we have a bumper tomato crop, we are frustrated at getting low prices. Various varieties have been grown in the upazila this year. At the start of the season tomatoes sold for Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500 a maund. Now they sell for Tk 300 to 500 a maund. We fear losses."

On the ground, farmers are busy picking tomatoes but frustrated by the low price. The upazila agriculture department says tomatoes were grown on 152 hectares this year, up from 130 hectares last year.

Farmer Badsha Mia told Jagonews: "I grew tomatoes on 115 decimals of land and had a bumper crop. At the market I have to sell at Tk 300 a maund. Before, a maund sold for Tk 1,500 to 2,000. Prices are low because production is high. Costs are also high because fertiliser and seed are expensive. So far I have not even sold Tk 1.5 lakh worth of tomatoes."

Farmer Rubel Islam told Jagonews: "The tomatoes are being picked from the field and kept for sale, but with few buyers I cannot sell them properly. Because of the higher prices of fertiliser and seed, I will make a loss. I want government support and intervention to raise prices."

Farmer Md Robiul said: "This time fertiliser and labour cost more, so tomato cultivation cost more this season. Most farmers in the village are in the same position."

Housewife Amena Begum told Jagonews: "This year I grew tomatoes on about 40 decimals next to my house. Although the crop is bumper, I am not getting a good price. If prices stay low, I will lose a lot. But I hope prices will rise."

Sub-assistant agriculture officer Abdul Baset Mia told Jagonews: "Farmers are selling tomatoes at Tk 30 a kg in the market. They would profit if they could sell at Tk 40 to 50 a kg. There will be tomatoes for two more months. If prices were higher, they would profit."

Nagarpur upazila agriculture officer SM Rashedul Hasan told Jagonews: "The upazila has great potential for tomato growing, and cultivation in Nagarpur is increasing day by day. Farmers are profiting from tomatoes, and we are giving them all-round support."

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