On the fertile Padma silt of Rajbari, most livelihoods depend on field crops, but steadily rising costs are putting farming under strain. Farmers say spending has gone up on almost everything, from fuel and labour to fertiliser, seed, pesticide and irrigation, and in places the cost of growing a bigha has nearly doubled.

The Tk 20 a litre rise in diesel has pushed up the cost of running irrigation pumps and farm machines, farmers say, while higher wages have raised the cost of land preparation, planting and harvesting. On top of that is uncertainty about getting a fair price once the crop is in.

"This year we are spending much more than last year... but the problem is that when we go to sell our crop, we do not get a fair price," said Moriom, a woman farmer. Farmers say that with prices failing to keep pace with costs, margins are shrinking and some cannot even recover costs, which could sap interest in farming.

Rajbari grows rice, jute, vegetables and other seasonal crops on a large scale, and rice and early vegetables have been planted widely this season. The agriculture department says fertiliser and pesticide supplies are being monitored in the field and farmers are advised to buy from designated dealers at set prices.

"There is enough pesticide this year compared with previous years," said Md Shahidul Islam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in the district, adding that anyone who disrupts the market will face legal action. Farmers are calling for affordable inputs and wages, lower irrigation and fuel costs, and fair prices through a curb on middlemen.

Source: NewsG24