Jackfruit farmers in Jessore have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and Amphan attack this year.
According to sources, the traditional Basundia jackfruit haat in the district from where thousands of jackfruits go to different areas of the country every season now looks almost deserted for lack of buyers. The blame goes to the Covid-19 pandemic and cyclone Amphan.
Just ahead of the fruit’s season, cyclone Amphan has severely damaged the fruit and destroyed trees resulting in short supply of jackfruits.
Besides, fewer buyers visit the market due to the transport crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, causing frustration among the jackfruit growers, said locals.
Farmers said they have to suffer a double blow this time as traders neither bought jackfruits from their orchards nor the market.
Ali Haider Sarker, a local businessman, said they have heard from their grandparents that this preferred market is hundreds of years old.
Traders from areas far from Barisal, Patuakhali, Madaripur, and other places in the south used to come here to buy jackfruits and ship those in big trawlers. Jackfruits used to be transported by roads to different districts, too.
Apart from Jessore, jackfruit traders from Narail, Khulna, Jhenaidah, and Magura used to bring jackfruits to this market.
Now things have changed. As the jackfruit supply has declined, the market is no longer a popular destination, he added.
Besides, the trader alleged, many traders do not want to come to the market due to harassment by extortionists.
Babul Akter, another businessman, said 50-90 truckloads of jackfruits used to be transported to different parts of the country from this haat every day, but this time only 8-10 trucks are carrying the delicious summer fruit.
Local traders said, in addition to transportation problems, there are administrative restrictions too, adding that the local administration is obstructing people from gathering at the haat as part of social distancing rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In many cases, they said, law enforcers are using force to remove buyers and sellers which discourages them.
According to the district agriculture office sources, jackfruit trees are on about 1,000 hectares of land and there have been plentiful yields of the fruit this time in Sadar, Chougachha,and Jhikargachha upazilas.
Farmers said they are not getting the fair price this time as buyers are unable to come from outside of the district due to the coronavirus situation.
Abdur Rahman, a farmer of Chougachha upazila, said he has counted heavy losses this year due to the abnormal situation created by corona and cyclone Amphan.
"It seems the Amphan has pierced my heart, not my orchards. The calamity has destroyed some one-third of my garden," he said breaking down in tears.
"Every year, I used to sell fruits to the traders in neighbouring districts and local markets at a good price. This year, there are no buyers like previous years due to corona. How will I recoup my losses?" he questioned.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Deputy Director Akhtaruzzaman said both Amphan and Covid-19 have caused huge damages to the agricultural sector in the region and for this reason the farmers are in trouble.
