Farmers worried over news of onion import

Last year, farmers increased onion cultivation due to better prices, but now they are worried about the news of onion import from India.

One third of the onions produced in the country are supplied from Pabna, known as the onion store. Last year the production was higher this time due to good prices. Farmers were also getting good prices. In the meantime, native advance variety of murikata onion has come in the market. But on the news that imported Indian onions are coming to the market, onions that cost 40 to 42 rupees a week are now being sold at 28 to 30 rupees.

Farmers are fearful of losses due to import of onions from India in the busy season. However, there is no fear of loss due to good demand, says the Department of Agriculture.

Abdul Quader, deputy director of the Pabna Agriculture Extension Department, said, "The way we grow onions here, we can send them to different districts after meeting the demand here."

Farmers in Faridpur, which is in the second position in onion production, were relieved as the yield was good even though they had to buy seeds at higher prices. However, the news of onion import is a source of concern for the farmers. In this situation, agricultural activists are also in favor of stopping imports.

Faridpur Deputy Director of Agricultural Extension. Mohammad Hazrat Ali said, "We will ask the government to consider the import of onions to protect the interests of the farmers. It will also benefit the farmers and trade will run smoothly."

Meanwhile, due to good prices last season, onion cultivation has been done in more than one thousand acres of land in Meherpur this time. Which is double that of previous years. The onion sold here last week was above Rs 30, while the news of the arrival of Indian onion has come down to Rs 22 to 25.