Prolonged heavy rainfall has devastated summer chilli cultivation in Faridpur's Madhukhali upazila, destroying large swathes of farmland, leaving thousands of growers counting heavy losses, and pushing retail prices of the spice to as high as Tk320 per kilogram.
Once carpeted with lush green chilli plants, fields across the upazila now lie waterlogged after more than a week of incessant rain, with rotting plants and failed crops replacing what had promised to be a productive season.
Madhukhali Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Mahbub Elahi said summer chilli was cultivated on around 2,720 hectares this season, but excessive rainfall submerged most fields, causing widespread crop damage.
"Waterlogging has caused chilli plants to rot and die in most of the cultivated areas. We are preparing a list of affected farmers. Some have already received government assistance, while others will be brought under compensation programmes in phases," he said.
According to local farmers, nearly three-quarters of the chilli fields have been damaged, with Raipur, Jahapur and Meghchami unions suffering the worst losses.
Farmers, including Rokonuzzaman and Firoz Mia of Raipur Union, said they had no option but to uproot their crops after the plants died.
"Almost all our chilli plants have perished due to the heavy rain. We have been forced to clear the fields," they said.
They said cultivation costs had already risen sharply because of higher prices of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. With the crop wiped out, many farmers are unlikely to recover even half of their investment.
"If the government provides financial support, we will be able to resume cultivation," they added.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), chilli has been cultivated on 3,112 hectares across Faridpur district this season, with a production target of 5,706 tonnes. Officials now fear the target will not be met because of the widespread damage caused by continuous rainfall.
The production shortfall has also driven up prices in local markets.
A visit to Haji Shariatullah Market, Chakbazar, Tepakhola Market and Helipad Market in Faridpur town found green chilli retailing at Tk280-Tk320 per kg, depending on quality.
Retail traders said supplies had fallen sharply as rain-damaged fields yielded little produce, resulting in steep price increases.
Faridpur Krishak Samity President Advocate Manik Majumdar urged the government to provide immediate compensation and rehabilitation support to affected farmers.
"There is hardly any chilli left in the fields, yet prices continue to climb. If affected farmers are not supported quickly, many may be discouraged from cultivating chilli next season," he said.
