Photo: Messenger
Despite a successful harvest season with bumper tomato production in various upazilas of Thakurgaon district, local farmers are grappling with substantial financial losses. The wholesale price of tomatoes has plummeted to as low as Tk 3 to Tk 4 per kilogram, marking a stark contrast to last year's market rates of Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kg. This price decline has left many farmers unable to cover their production costs, leading to a significant gap between the prices farmers receive and the retail prices consumers pay.
Govindanagar, a key vegetable-producing area in Thakurgaon, has been hit hard by the price slump. This region supplies vegetables to different parts of the country, including Dhaka, via hundreds of trucks daily. However, the recent market conditions have forced farmers to sell their produce at prices lower than the cost of production.
Enamul, a farmer from Nargun area of Sadar Upazila, shared his plight, stating that tomatoes, which were initially sold at a good price at the beginning of the season, are now being sold at Tk 3 to Tk 5 per kg in the market. This is despite the fact that retailers are selling tomatoes for 15 to 20 taka per kg, indicating a clear discrepancy in the profit margins.
The situation is not limited to tomatoes; other vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, and gourd are also facing a similar price crisis. Abdul Malek, a farmer from Sadar Upazila, highlighted that cabbage and cauliflower are being sold at 5 to 7 taka per piece, a price never seen before in the region. Similarly, gourd growers are selling their produce at Tk 5-7 per peach gourd, a significant drop from last year's price of Tk 20-25 per gourd.
Matin Mia, a vendor in the Govindanagar area, attributed the low vegetable prices to an oversupply in the market and increased cultivation this season. Despite the low prices for farmers, consumers are still paying higher prices for vegetables, indicating a disconnect between the farm gate prices and retail costs.
Ibrahim, a consumer shopping at Kalibari, the largest vegetable market in the municipality, echoed these sentiments, noting that while farmers are struggling to sell their produce, consumers are still paying high prices for vegetables.
Md. Sirajul Islam, Deputy Director of the Thakurgaon District Agriculture Extension Department, acknowledged the issue, stating that the district is well-suited for vegetable cultivation and that efforts are underway to help farmers sell their produce outside the district. The department is also providing advice to farmers on how to manage vegetable production across different seasons to mitigate such price fluctuations.
As the season progresses, tomato farmers in Thakurgaon district are hoping for a reversal in market trends to avoid further financial hardship. The situation underscores the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Bangladesh, who often struggle to secure fair prices for their crops despite bountiful harvests.
The current plight of farmers in Thakurgaon district reflects a broader issue faced by agricultural communities worldwide. Despite their hard work and dedication, they often find themselves at the mercy of fluctuating market conditions and unfair pricing mechanisms. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from both government authorities and stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of smallholder farmers.
Messenger/Disha
