Farmers in Distress: DAP Fertilizer Priced at 1,050 Taka Unavailable Even at 1,800 Taka, Threatening Onion Crops

❐ District Representative

The onion bulbs produced in Faridpur and Pabna play an important role in maintaining the supply of onion in the country during the winter. After the monsoon water recedes, farmers are busy with the new season’s cultivation. However, production costs are also increasing due to shortages of fertilizer and fuel, higher wages for workers, and rising prices of agricultural inputs.

Farmers complain that they are not getting the required amount of DAP fertilizer even after paying more than the price set by the government. As a result, there is uncertainty about the desired amount of onion production.

Talking to farmers, it was learned that with the start of the onion harvest season, there has been an increase in the number of people involved in various activities including land preparation, fertilizing, irrigation, and planting seedlings. However, farmers are facing problems due to the shortage of fertilizer compared to the demand.

They say that although the government price of DAP fertilizer is fixed at Tk 1,050 per bag, in some places the fertilizer is not available even for Tk 1,600 to 1,800.

Even buying chopped onions costs more than before.

Farmers say that it now costs 2,800 to 3,000 taka to buy a maund of cotton. To this are added the costs of land preparation, irrigation, planting and maintenance. They are worried about the overall cost of production as labor wages and fuel prices increase.

Talking to onion farmers Abu Bakkar, Iman Ali, Kalam Sheikh and Moinuddin, including some from Ambikapur field in Faridpur Sadar Upazila, it was learned that even though the prices of production inputs have increased, the selling prices of agricultural products are not increasing at the same rate. This has raised concerns about whether the expected profit will be obtained against the additional investment.

They said that losses would increase if production decreased or onion prices fell in the market.

Bahadur Sheikh, Ali Hossain and Kudrat Bepari, onion farmers from Char Madhabdiya in the district, say that it is necessary to ensure the supply of fertilizer at a fair price from the beginning of the season. At the same time, it is important to make fuel easily available and increase surveillance in the agricultural input market.

According to them, it may be difficult to continue cultivating this crop in the future if a fair selling price for farmers cannot be ensured in line with the cost of production.

According to Anwar Hossain, agricultural officer of Faridpur Sadar Upazila, the role of cut onions is important in increasing the supply of onions in the winter market. At this time of the year, the supply of onions is comparatively less in different parts of the country. In Faridpur and Pabna, onions produced in advance help meet the market demand. Therefore, if the production of this crop is disrupted, it can also affect the supply and price in the market.

Faridpur Farmers’ Association President Advocate Manik Majumder said that the government provides subsidies in various sectors. Even then, if farmers do not get fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs when needed, there is a risk of disruption in production.

He believes that the concerned officials need to be more responsible and strictly control the fertilizer market so that farmers get the necessary fertilizer at a fair price.

According to Shahaduzzaman, Deputy Director of Faridpur Department of Agricultural Extension, the target area for summer onion cultivation in the current Kharif-2 season has been set at 5,885 hectares. To meet this target, it is important to supply production inputs, control farmers’ costs, and ensure fair prices for the produce.

Shahaduzzaman said efforts are being made to advise farmers on various issues. They are also being encouraged to use organic fertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers in their fields.

Faridpur Conscious Citizens Committee (Snac) Vice President Advocate Shipra Goswami said, “To increase agricultural production, it is not enough to increase the amount of cultivable land. Fertilizer and fuel must be supplied on time and market prices must be ensured that are commensurate with the cost of production. Otherwise, farmers’ profits will decrease due to additional costs.”

He also expressed concern that it may become difficult to produce and maintain regular supply of chopped onions in the market.