The farmers of Rangpur Division are disappointed as the price of Aman paddy has decreased drastically in eight districts under the division due to acute transportation problem caused by prolonged blockade and shutdown.
The farmers of the region became ecstatic to witness an excellent yield of aman this season but their ecstasy faded away when they found its lower price in local markets. They are incurring huge losses as they are being deprived of fair prices of their produce, sources said.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources , Aman paddy was cultivated on some 10,46,900 hectares of land in 8 districts under the division this season and farmers got a bumper production of the paddy. But owing to its plummeting price they have become disheartened, sources also said.
Many farmers said paddy price has dropped to Tk 70 to Tk 80 per maund because of continuous blockade and shutdown. If the situation continues price of paddy may fall further they apprehended.
A number of farmers alleged that taking advantage of the situation a section of unscrupulous big rice traders and hoarders are purchasing it from local markets at much cheaper rate to stock.
At present Aman is being sold at Tk 640 to Tk 650 per maund (40 kg) at local markets against its previous rate of Tk 710 to Tk730 per maund before blockade, sources said.
Harun (45), a farmer of Baniapara village at Taraganj upazila in Rangpur told The New Nation that paddy was sold for Tk 720 to 730 per maund before but at present the price has come down to Tk 640 to Tk 650 .
Despite low price they are being compelled to sell it in order to manage expenses for potato and other Robi crops cultivation, he added. Many other farmers of different areas under the region also echoed the same tone.
Many rice traders said that paddy price has reduced severely as supply from Rangpur to other parts of the country including Natore, Iswardi, Jessore, pabna has remained suspended for long because of frequent blockades and shutdown.
Expressing disgruntlement a good number of Small and poor farmers alleged that they had to take loan from local money lenders and NGOs for cultivating aman paddy. But due to its lower price they are in uncertainty about repaying the loan, they added.
