The cultivation of Boro paddy suffered a setback in Magura district this year due to a hike in diesel, fertilizers and seedlings prices.
According to the Agriculture Extension Department (DAE) sources, 35,676 hectares of land have been brought under cultivation in the district with a production target of 142,742 tonnes. However, farmers are facing difficulties as production costs are very high.
Rouf Sheekder, a farmer of Nanduali village under Sadar upazilla, said; ”I have decided to cultivate the paddy on two bighas of land. I have to purchase urea fertilizer at Tk20 per kg against Tk16 fixed by government, while diesel costs Tk72 per litre against Tk68.15 fixed by the government.”
Baten Sheikh of Amuria village said; “Last year our production cost was about Tk12,000 per bigha, but the amount will stand at Tk15,000 this year.”
“Production cost of the paddy is increasing every year while price is decreasing day by day,” he said.
Abul Hashem Moghi village said; “The farmers are losing interest in paddy cultivation due to hike of production cost.”
“Influential syndicates are exploiting the farmers by selling urea and diesel at exorbitant rate,” he added.
“Monitoring by the government agencies in this regard is disheartening,” he noted.
When contacted, DAE Deputy Director Mokhlesur Rahaman denied the allegation.
