Onion production in Bangladesh is rising, but it will take a few more years to break free of import dependence. The government aims to overcome the crisis in four years through coordinated action at the production level.

Farmers say it will be hard to escape the crisis without far-sighted steps on imports and local markets. Every year the onion market becomes unstable, hitting both farmers and consumers. Everyone goes to farmers to find the cause, and with the peak season approaching, farmers' reactions are mixed.

The government aims for self-sufficiency in onion production within four years, and the minister says good progress has been made. BARI chief scientific officer Dr Shailendra Nath Majumder said there has been considerable success in variety development. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is also optimistic about summer and murikata (bulb-set) onions outside the main season.

But all sides, from farmers onwards, are watching the market. They say meeting the target depends on policy measures and discipline everywhere, from local markets to import trade. The government is satisfied with one year's progress.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.