[🇧🇩] Agriculture in Bangladesh

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Agrotechnology from China

Agriculture in Bangladesh has improved appreciably and the main driver of it is undoubtedly technology. Yet the advancement falls short of the quantum leap technology has taken in the developed countries of the world. Japan has long been a pioneer in this field. China with the largest population un

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Agrotechnology from China

Published :
Jun 03, 2025 00:09
Updated :
Jun 03, 2025 00:09

Agriculture in Bangladesh has improved appreciably and the main driver of it is undoubtedly technology. Yet the advancement falls short of the quantum leap technology has taken in the developed countries of the world. Japan has long been a pioneer in this field. China with the largest population until a couple of years ago was compelled to introduce innovative technology for raising agricultural production in order to feed its people. The use of the cutting-edge technology has ensured food security for that country. Agricultural scientists in Bangladesh must be credited for developing paddy varieties, vegetables and fruits ---both local and exotic---that can adapt to the local condition. Even in reviving the local stocks of indigenous fish on the verge of extinction, their research and experiment have been highly successful. Where the country's agriculture is lacking in is mechanisation and the use of highly advanced technology.

Against such a background, the commerce adviser's request to the visiting Chinese commerce minister for drone technology for use in agriculture makes sense. Expressing his readiness to cooperate, the Chinese commerce minister made it clear that his country was "ready to assist Bangladesh in agriculture and digital technology". He added that the collaboration would specifically focus on "smart agriculture and drone technology to boost productivity". If drones are used in warfare with devastating effect, they can as well be used for peaceful and economic purposes. Bangladesh has limited introduction of tilling, sowing machines and combined harvesters but the use of drones in application of fertilisers, sowing seeds, spraying pesticides and monitoring crops is still beyond its reach. Indiscriminate use of fertilisers, pesticides and improper irrigation often marked by use of more water than necessary have remained endemic problems. The simple technology of placing a porous plastic bottle in paddy field to measure the exact amount of water could not as yet be made popular among farmers simply because of the lack of right kind of initiative to give it enough publicity.

If manual application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides is replaced by agri-sensitive drone, it can bring about a paradigm shift in crop production. What, however, may stand

in the way of such technology's wider use is the cost. If the government provides advanced devices such as drones for collective use by farmers, the high procurement cost for an individual farmer can be avoided. Drones can be distributed among farmers by forming their cooperatives, the members of which will pay the price in instalment ultimately to own the digital device.

Although fishery is considered a sub-sector of agriculture, it has ranges and scopes beyond agriculture. One such area is marine fisheries in which the backwardness of Bangladesh is beyond question. Chinese help in developing this sector can prove crucial. Bangladesh will need expertise, technology and, above all, sea-going vessels. Of the unexplored blue economy, deep-sea fishing is a most promising one---particularly after Bangladesh won the cases against Myanmar and India to have a far greater exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with its rights to an extended maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal recognised. If Bangladesh gets proper fishing vessels, technology and expertise for deep-sea fishing, a new chapter in earning foreign currency will open. So, the technology transfer in the area of agriculture and maritime fishery can be highly beneficial for Bangladesh. So, it is most welcome.​

 

[Saif]

Agri budget not enough to ensure food security: experts

The government has proposed a 3.55 percent rise in the budget allocation for agriculture, food, livestock and fisheries in the next fiscal year, setting aside Tk 39,620 crore..But agro-economists say the increase is far from sufficient to ensure the country’s long-term food security..

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Agri budget not enough to ensure food security: experts

The government has proposed a 3.55 percent rise in the budget allocation for agriculture, food, livestock and fisheries in the next fiscal year, setting aside Tk 39,620 crore.

But agro-economists say the increase is far from sufficient to ensure the country's long-term food security.

In his budget speech on Monday, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed announced Tk 27,224 crore for the agriculture ministry for fiscal year (FY) 2025–26.

This proposed allocation includes Tk 17,241 crore for subsidies on fertilisers and other farming inputs, a figure that remains nearly unchanged from the current fiscal year.

Agri experts argue that the budget once again prioritises subsidies over much-needed investments in productivity. With Bangladesh set to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) club in 2026, such subsidies will no longer be sustainable.

"If the current interim government did some groundwork in the FY26 budget towards the graduation, whoever comes to power next will have a footmark to follow," said M Asaduzzaman, former research director at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).

He suggested the budget should have outlined a one-year preparatory plan, laying the foundation for future policy shifts. "That could have then been a topic at least for discussion," he said.

Citing the urgency of improving yields, Asaduzzaman said paddy productivity in Bangladesh still falls below that of neighbouring India and Pakistan, where output is at least 30 percent higher.

"In Bangladesh, more attention has been paid to increasing subsidies over the years than to improving productivity," added the researcher.

According to a latest report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the agriculture sector grew by just 1.79 percent in FY 2024–25, the slowest pace in more than a decade.

The sector's share of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) has also steadily declined, from over 38 percent in the early 1970s to just 11.3 percent in FY 2022–23, and further down to 10.94 percent in FY 2024–25.

Agro-economists and industry insiders blame a mix of factors, including frequent floods, droughts and erratic rainfall, all made worse by climate change.

Against this backdrop, the proposed budgetary allocation appears underwhelming, said agro-economist Jahangir Alam Khan. "If we want to ensure food security, reduce inflation and become self-reliant, the allocation must be increased," he said.

Echoing Asaduzzaman's call for improving productivity, Khan said that agricultural output must grow by 4 percent to 5 percent annually to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on food and nutrition security by 2030.

"With this paltry budget allocation, that's just not possible," he said.

He also pointed out that a farm mechanisation project offering subsidised machinery to farmers had shown promise, and it could have been relaunched in the new budget.

To ensure fair prices, Khan said the government should procure at least 20 to 25 key crops directly from farmers, which is now limited to only paddy and wheat.

Mohammad Jahangir Alam, professor of agribusiness and marketing at Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh, said the interim government, unburdened by political pressures, had a unique opportunity to offer a more forward-looking budget.

He was critical of the new budget for not having sufficient focus on agricultural research, which he said is key to reducing dependence on imports and achieving self-sufficiency.

"In previous budgets, a separate allocation was kept for research, but it is not in the proposed one," he added.

However, the budget does contain a few promising initiatives.

"The use of environment-friendly technologies is being promoted to reduce water waste during irrigation, improve the use of surface water and ensure sustainable use of groundwater," Alam said.

Other measures include strengthening cold storage supply chains and logistics systems, developing transport infrastructure for farm produce, creating a comprehensive database of agri supply chain actors, and establishing specialised agro-processing zones and port facilities for export.

In his budget speech, the finance adviser said that they have identified 59 bottlenecks to agri exports, and steps are being taken to address them.​

 

[Saif]

Farmers struggling to sell crops amid inclement weather

Around 6 lakh agrarian families in this region are facing financial uncertainties ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

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Farmers struggling to sell crops amid inclement weather

Photo: Star

Despite growing a bumper harvest of Boro paddy and maize this year, many farmers along the river basin in Rangpur region are struggling to sell their crops amid the ongoing inclement weather marked by incessant rain.

As such, around 6 lakh agrarian families in this region are facing financial uncertainties ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

"It has been two weeks since I brought my maize paddy harvest home. The yield has been very good, but amid the rain, I am still not able to dry the produce to get it ready for sale. Some of it has started rotting in storage. With no sales yet, I could not buy anything for my family ahead of Eid," said Akbar Ali, 60, a farmer from Char Mahipur village under Rangpur's Gangachhara upazila.

Delowar Hossain, 55, a farmer from Char Gokunda in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said at aleast 20 percent of his maize harvest has gone bad due to moisture amid persistent rainfall, while he managed to sell a small portion of his paddy at low price.

"I have never seen this kind of weather in Jaishtha (second month of Bengali calendar). Usually, it remains sunny during this time of year — ideal for drying grains after harvest," he said.

Atiar Rahman, 65, from Char Gatiashyam in Kurigram's Rajarhat upazila, echoed similar frustration.

"The crops are in the house after harvest, but there is no way to sell those to earn money. Ahead of Eid, this comes as an utter disappointment," he said.

Like them, many other small and marginal farmers in the region are facing hardships.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rangpur, this year the five districts in the division -- Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Nilphamari -- produced a combined total of 13.92 lakh tonnes of maize from 1.26 lakh hectares, and 30.5 lakh tonnes of Boro paddy from 5.08 lakh hectares of land.

Shafiqul Islam, additional director of DAE in Rangpur region, said farmers who harvested early were able to dry and store their crops properly when there were a few sunny days, but those who harvested late are facing complication amid monsoon.

"We are advising farmers to avoid piling up moist grains indoors to prevent rotting, but many have no choice," he added.​

 

[Saif]

FAO predicts favourable Boro harvests

Production prospects for Boro paddy, the principal rice crop in Bangladesh, remain favourable as harvests are expected to conclude this month.

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FAO predicts favourable Boro harvests

Boro accounts for about 55 percent of the annual paddy output of Bangladesh. PHOTO: AZAHAR UDDIN

Production prospects for Boro paddy, the principal rice crop in Bangladesh, remain favourable as harvests are expected to conclude this month.

The hope is based on good weather and an increase in planting by farmers in response to high domestic prices, according to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) yesterday.

The UN agency said the area planted for the 2025 Boro paddy crop, which is mostly irrigated and accounts for about 55 percent of the annual output, was estimated to be above the five-year average.

Citing satellite imagery, it said crop conditions prior to the onset of harvests last April were above average across most parts of the country, supported by favourable weather conditions.

"Increased adoption of high-yielding seed varieties contributed to boosting yields," the FAO said in its Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS), focusing on Bangladesh's food and agriculture.

The forecast comes at a time when the retail price of coarse rice, the benchmark variety used to track prices, has remained at over Tk 52 per kilogramme for six consecutive months since November.

The UN agency said domestic prices of rice in Dhaka, the capital city, increased steadily between October 2023 and January 2025 due to inflationary pressure and increases in the costs of production, milling, and transportation.

Since February 2025, prices have remained stable and, as of April 2025, were 8 percent higher than their levels a year earlier, even though paddy production was estimated at an above-average 6.02 crore tonnes in 2024.

This was due to large plantings and bumper yields despite crop losses caused by heavy rains and floods between May and August 2024 and the passing of Cyclone Remal in late July 2024.

Bangladesh's average paddy production was estimated at 5.71 crore tonnes over the five years to 2023, according to the FAO.

The agency said the Aus paddy crop, which accounts for about 10 percent of the annual output, is currently at the flowering and grain-filling stages, and its conditions are generally favourable in key production areas in the north and south.

Planting of the 2025 Aman paddy crop, which accounts for about 35 percent of the annual output, is underway with favourable soil moisture conditions, and harvesting is expected to start in October, it added.

Imports of rice are also predicted to increase this calendar year to 12 lakh tonnes, up from 175,000 tonnes in 2024.

Citing fiscal year 2024–25 ending this June, the UN agency forecasts Bangladesh's cereal import requirements at 90 lakh tonnes.

The amount is near the five-year average and well above the unusually low level in 2023–24, when the country's import capacity was limited by low foreign currency reserves, it said.

Bangladesh's cereal imports consist mostly of wheat, which covers 80 percent of its consumption needs, plus minor quantities of rice and maize.

The FAO predicts the country's wheat imports at a near-average 67 lakh tonnes and maize at an above-average 14 lakh tonnes, driven by steady demand for feed from the livestock and fishing industries in FY25.​

 

[Saif]

Potential of climate-smart agriculture in southern Bangladesh

Increasingly frequent cyclones, saline water intrusion, prolonged waterlogging, erratic rainfall, and rising sea levels are drastically altering the agricultural landscape in southern Bangladesh. Smarting under the adverse impact of climate change, the vulnerable coastal regions of southern Banglad

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Potential of climate-smart agriculture in southern Bangladesh

Makhan Lal Dutta
Published :
Jun 13, 2025 00:56
Updated :
Jun 13, 2025 00:56

Increasingly frequent cyclones, saline water intrusion, prolonged waterlogging, erratic rainfall, and rising sea levels are drastically altering the agricultural landscape in southern Bangladesh. Smarting under the adverse impact of climate change, the vulnerable coastal regions of southern Bangladesh comprising Khulna, Barishal, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Patuakhali, and parts of Chattogram are likely to be the worst sufferers of a possible sea-level rise. The climatic stresses, compounded by poverty and meagre infrastructure, threaten the livelihoods of millions dependent on smallholder farming. Evidently, the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as both a necessity and a promising strategy for ensuring food security, protecting natural resources, and enabling climate resilience in this fragile ecosystem.

One of the key pillars of CSA in the south is the widespread adoption of stress-tolerant crop varieties. The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) have developed several salt-tolerant rice varieties such as BRRI dhan 47, 53, 54 and BINA dhan 8, 10, and 11. These have shown notable success in saline-prone regions of Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat, where traditional rice cultivation is no longer viable. Farmers have reported improved yields and lower crop failure rates notwithstanding increasing salinity levels. Similarly, flood-tolerant varieties like BRRI dhan 51 and 52 have proved useful in areas vulnerable to flash floods and prolonged inundation.

Reviving traditional knowledge, floating agriculture is re-emerging in southern districts such as Gopalganj and Bagerhat. This centuries-old method, which involves growing crops on floating beds made of water hyacinth and bamboo, is being adapted and scaled up during monsoons when fields are submerged. Vegetables like okra, cucumbers, and leafy greens are now being produced on these beds, ensuring year-round food production and dietary diversity. The innovation lies in its low cost and its potential to convert waterlogged land into productive zones, especially for landless farmers.

An innovative CSA solution gaining traction is the Integrated Floating Cage Aquageoponics System (IFCAS), developed by Bangladesh scientists. This approach combines fish farming and vegetable cultivation in floating structures, making optimal use of vertical space and enabling resource-efficient farming in submerged or shaded ponds. IFCAS has been successfully piloted in districts like Satkhira and Pirojpur, generating both nutritional and income benefits for participating households.

Water-smart technologies are also at the core of CSA. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) is being increasingly adopted by rice farmers in regions where water is scarce or expensive. By allowing the soil to dry between irrigation cycles, AWD not only reduces irrigation water use by up to 38 per cent but also cuts methane emissions making it both economically and environmentally sound. Extension workers from BRRI and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) have reported yield improvements of up to 15 per cent and notable reductions in fertiliser input among AWD users.

Agroforestry, another climate-smart practice, is expanding steadily in southern Bangladesh. By integrating fast-growing trees such as mango, guava, and mahogany with traditional crops like rice and vegetables, farmers benefit from improved microclimates, enhanced biodiversity, and long-term soil health. Agroforestry plots have demonstrated superior economic returns over monoculture in multiple cost-benefit analyses conducted by the Bangladesh Forest Department and FAO-supported projects. Farmers also value the added income diversification and protection from wind and salinity these trees offer.

Women, often underrepresented in formal agriculture programmes, are emerging as key agents of climate-smart transformation in southern Bangladesh. Following cyclone Aila in 2009, several rehabilitation initiatives trained women in salinity-resilient agriculture, aquaculture, and homestead gardening. Women's groups in coastal Satkhira and Barguna have since taken lead in managing fish farms and growing salt-tolerant crops like mung bean and sunflower. Their increased participation is not only improving household food security but also strengthening social cohesion and gender equity.

Several large-scale projects are currently accelerating the adoption of CSA across southern Bangladesh. One such initiative is the USAID-funded "Feed the Future Bangladesh Climate Smart Agriculture Activity," which runs from 2023 to 2028. With the goal of reaching over 900,000 farmers, the project supports the dissemination of CSA practices across 680,000 hectares of rice, 100,000 hectares of pulses, and 50,000 hectares of oilseeds. Initial monitoring reports show a 5-10 per cent yield increase across key crops and a marked reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and input use. The project also trains local agri-entrepreneurs and service providers, fostering private sector involvement in climate-resilient input and technology markets.

Other notable initiatives include the World Bank-supported Climate-Smart Agriculture and Water Management (CSAWM) programme, and the Climate Resilient Agriculture Advancement in Barind (CRAAB) project, which have together introduced climate-resilient techniques to over 35,000 farmers across Rajshahi, Patuakhali, and Barguna. These efforts focus not only on crop resilience but also on smart irrigation infrastructure, solar-powered water pumps, and localised weather forecasting services.

Despite the clear benefits, the scale-up of CSA practices faces several bottlenecks. The initial cost of installing technologies like solar irrigation, IFCAS, or improved irrigation systems can be prohibitive for smallholders without access to credit. Land fragmentation and tenure insecurity further discourage long-term investment in CSA. Additionally, gaps in extension services and the availability of quality inputs-such as certified seeds or organic fertilisers-continue to limit uptake. Market access and value chain inefficiencies also mean that farmers cannot always realise higher returns on climate-resilient crops.

To overcome these challenges, policy and institutional support must continue to evolve. The government has shown a strong commitment to CSA through strategies like the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and the Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP). These long-term frameworks recognise agriculture as a frontline sector in building climate resilience. Expanding subsidies for climate-resilient inputs, providing smart financing for agri-innovation, and investing in digital advisory services are critical steps to create an enabling environment for CSA expansion.

Moreover, extensive collaboration between research institutions, NGOs, and the private sector will be vital. Digital solutions such as mobile apps offering real-time weather alerts, pest warnings, and crop advisory services could enhance farmers' decision-making and efficiency. Encouraging youth involvement through agritech startups and green entrepreneurship also offers a pathway to modernise agriculture while creating rural employment.

The southern Bangladesh, considered one of the most climate-vulnerable regions on the planet, is also becoming a testing ground for transformative agricultural innovation. Climate-Smart Agriculture offers a pragmatic, locally adapted, and inclusive solution to the multiple challenges facing the farming sector. As the country navigates the dual imperatives of economic growth and climate resilience, investing in CSA is not just a necessity, it is also a strategic opportunity to secure the future of food, water and livelihoods for the nation.

Dr. Makhan Lal Dutta is a development professional and serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harvesting Knowledge Consultancy.​

 

[Saif]

Legal measures to conserve farmlands

The urgency of framing a law to safeguard farmlands from being irreversibly reduced in size due to natural causes such as river erosion as well as human actions triggering climate change cannot be overstated. Efforts to this end have been made by the land ministryin the past, for instance, in the f

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Legal measures to conserve farmlands

Published :
Jun 14, 2025 00:32
Updated :
Jun 14, 2025 00:32

The urgency of framing a law to safeguard farmlands from being irreversibly reduced in size due to natural causes such as river erosion as well as human actions triggering climate change cannot be overstated. Efforts to this end have been made by the land ministryin the past, for instance, in the form of a draft proposal, namely, the 'Land Ownership and Uses Act' , which would limit the ownership of non-agricultural land to 40 bighas (1 bigha = 33 decimals). The aim of the proposed Act was to protect agricultural land. Similar laws such as the Agricultural Land Protection and Land Zoning Act 2010 and Agricultural Land Protection and Usage Act 2016 were introduced in the past. Notably, those laws were updated and revised over time.

The High Court, too, in April 2024, recommended passing the private bill (originally tabled in parliament in March 2022) that sought steps in 2016 towards appropriate use and conservation of agricultural land. Side by side with the moves to frame laws to conserve arable land, experts also emphasised proper land management to address environmental issues and control commercial farming, particularly tobacco cultivation and shrimp culture that lead to land degradation and decline in crop yield. Concerns have been expressed during the past decades over the progressive decline in the quantity of available farmlands in the country. Meanwhile, the amount of cultivable land has been shrinking due to its transfer to non-agricultural sectors including road building, operating brick fields, housing and industrial estates. According to a Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) document, between 1976 and 2021, i.e. in 45 years, Bangladesh lost 1.048 million hectares of land to non-agricultural use. In a similar vein, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, country's total amount of agricultural land, as of 2023, stood at 8.829 million hectares.

In a land-scarce country like Bangladesh, loss of arable land to non-farm use is no doubt a bad news for food security. Even so, production of staple crops, especially rice has about quadrupled from 10 million tonnes in 1972-73 to 39 million tonnes recently, thanks to the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds, better inputs including irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides and more efficient land use and cropping practice. But one cannot at the same time lose sight of the fact that it has all come at a cost. Because, in absence of additional fallow land, the same land is being used repeatedly to produce multiple crops. Though the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has helped achieve higher yields of crops, the quality of soil has been diminishing irreparably. All the scientific agricultural practices have so far contributed to breaking past record of crop yields, but the hard facts are that limited amount of land, which, again, is diminishing without a pause, cannot guarantee food security for an ever-growing size of population for a long time.

Against this not-so-reassuring background, the interim government is learnt to have promised to accelerate efforts to frame a law to protect agricultural land as well as the interests of farmers. In this connection, the Home and Agriculture Adviser, Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury during a press briefing recently has reiterated the interim government's determination to soon enact a suitable law. It is believed the incumbent administration would be up to its promise and fast track its plan to enact the law to protect agricultural lands, since its tenure in office is short.​

 

[Saif]

Dinajpur mango growers project business worth Tk 150 crore

Mango production in Dinajpur district has witnessed a huge jump with expecting to harvest about 70,000 metric tons of the juicy fruit this year...

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Dinajpur mango growers project business worth Tk 150 crore
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dinajpur 15 June, 2025, 22:25

Mango production in Dinajpur district has witnessed a huge jump with expecting to harvest about 70,000 metric tons of the juicy fruit this year.

Department of Agricultural Extension has estimated worth of Taka 150 crore of the total yields in terms of monetary value. Md Anisuzzaman, deputy director (fruits and crops) of Department of Agriculture Extension, said mangoes have been cultivated across 4,246 hectares in the district.

Last year, the formalin scare caused a collapse in the mango market, but this time the mango orchard owners have promised to produce poison-free mangoes, he added.

A vibrant mango collection and trading season is underway across the district as major wholesale markets have been set up at Kalitala and Gore-e-Shahid Boro Maidan in the town, said Md. Habibur Rahman, Assistant Director of Dinajpur Horticulture Department.

He said that mango supply to those markets had dipped during Eid-ul-Azha, but activity resumed from Saturday, with wholesalers transporting mangoes to various districts, including Dhaka.

Golam Rahman, a mango trader from Gazipur, said that he previously sourced mangoes from Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi but now prefers Dinajpur for its high-quality, poison-free produce.

According to the Horticulture Department, many residents have achieved financial success through mango cultivation. Large-scale and high-quality mango orchards have been established in Sadar, Chirirbandar, Birol, Birganj, Kaharol, Phulbari, Birampur, Ghoraghat, and Nawabganj upazilas, with Nawabganj particularly known for superior varieties.

In Bhaduria Bazar, a major mango hub, sales boosted up in post-Eid, with wholesalers loading 19 trucks and 42 pickups on Saturday alone. Leaseholder of the bazar, Shariful Islam mentioned about the strong demand in Dhaka for varieties such as Banana Mango, Bari-4, Amrapali, Mishri Bhog, Haribhanga, Katimon, and Chhatapara.

These mangoes, harvested from early Asharh (third month of Bangla calendar), are sold without formalin, gaining customer trust, he said, adding that around 50,000 seasonal workers are engaged in the mango trade, including collection, sorting, and marketing.

Rashidul Islam, a mango grower at Nashipur village of Chehelgazi union in sadar upazila, said that all the trees of his orchard witnessed excellent yields. He believes Dinajpur can significantly contribute to the national mango supply as many people here can set up such mango orchard.​

 

[Saif]

Jackfruit growers in Gazipur seek cold storage amid low prices

Known as the jackfruit centre of Bangladesh, Gazipur is home to countless jackfruit trees

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Jackfruit growers in Gazipur seek cold storage amid low prices

Photo: STAR

Jackfruit growers in Gazipur are failing to get fair prices for their produce this season and are demanding cold storage facilities to prevent losses.

Known as the jackfruit centre of Bangladesh, Gazipur is home to countless jackfruit trees that can be seen in the courtyards, open spaces, and fields in both urban and rural areas.

However, growers say the lack of market access and storage infrastructure is preventing them from benefiting from good harvests.

During visits to Kapasia and Sreepur upazilas, jackfruits were found hanging abundantly from trees, unaffected by recent monsoon rains that damaged other fruits such as mangoes and litchis.

Atiqul Islam, a 50 year old farmer from Narayanpur village in Kapasia, said he owns over 50 jackfruit trees, all of which are bearing fruit this year.

"The fruits are starting to ripen, but wholesalers have yet to arrive. I hear heavy rain has delayed traders from Sylhet. Some buyers come, but they offer just Tk 5 to 10 per jackfruit," he said.

Ameena Khatun, a housewife from Amraid village, said she recently sold 14 large jackfruits for only Tk 400.

"I thought I could sell them for at least Tk 1,000. The trees are useful for feeding goats throughout the year, but now I use the fruit as cow fodder. I only keep the seeds for cooking," she said.

Kabir Hossain of Targaon village said he spent Tk 60 to bring two jackfruits to the Kapasia market, where he sold them for just Tk 150.

"Even though jackfruit is our national fruit, it has no value here," he added.

Local trader Jasim Mia said low demand is depressing prices, though he occasionally purchases fruit directly from gardens.

Gazipur's Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Mohammad Golam Mostafa said jackfruit is cultivated on 9,103 hectares in the district.

He confirmed that a proposal for cold storage has been submitted, and construction will begin once land is allocated.​