Low paddy price irks Sherpur farmers

Paddy farmers in the district have started harvesting the Boro crop, but its price remains very low at the growers' level.

One maund of Boro paddy is selling at Tk 300 -Tk 420 at the growers' level, and between Tk 400 - Tk 600 at the local markets in the district, though the production cost this season is estimated to be around Tk 800.

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Although the government declared it would begin paddy procurement from May 1-- offering Tk 32 per kg for rice and Tk 22 per kg for paddy -- it has failed to create an impact on the paddy price in the district.

Dulal Mian, a farmer of Bhatshala village in Sadar upazila, said he is selling paddy at Tk 400 per maund, whereas the wage for each of the day labourers who have been hired for harvesting the paddy is Tk 500.

"I've spent about Tk 32,000 for growing paddy on one acre of land, and harvested about 70 maunds of paddy that is selling at Tk 400 per maund. Though the production is good, it is causing me a huge loss," he said.

According to officials at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), as more lands in the district were brought under Boro cultivation this season compared to the previous season, the output is also going to exceed the target of 3.55 lakh tonnes.

DAE deputy director Dr Md Abdus Salam said the price of paddy at the growers' level is low, but is expected to increase with the start of the government's procurement drive in the district.

Farmers, however, expressed their doubt over the prospect of increase in the paddy price with the initiation of the procurement drive because the government will collect the rice and paddy from the traders, not from the farmers.