Onion production costs have seen a notable increase in Bangladesh, with the price of Kondo onion bulbs, a variety planted in October and harvested in mid-November, experiencing a sharp rise. This early-season variety is crucial for ensuring local markets are supplied before the main harvest in March. However, farmers in the major producing districts are facing higher expenses not only for bulbs but also for labor and land leasing. Additionally, untimely rain has delayed cultivation in some areas, contributing to the instability of onion prices.
Md Samsul Islam, a farmer from Sujanagar upazila of Pabna, reported that the cost per maund (approximately 37 kilograms) of onion bulb has escalated to up to $94.12 (Tk 8,000), a significant jump from last year's range of $41.18 to $47.06 (Tk 3,500 to Tk 4,000). This increase is mirrored in the labor and land lease costs, with daily labor rates rising from $4.71 (Tk 400) to $5.88 (Tk 500) and the price per bigha of land reaching $235.29 (Tk 20,000) compared to $94.12 (Tk 8,000) previously.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has observed a corresponding rise in production costs, with Md Kamruzzaman, another farmer, noting that expenses have soared above $1,411.76 (Tk 1.2 lakh) per bigha, doubling from last year. The high cost of Kondo bulbs is attributed to continuous price hikes throughout the year, affecting farmers' ability to cultivate as extensively as before.
Despite these challenges, the DAE has set ambitious cultivation targets for the fiscal year 2024-25, aiming for the production of 3.9663 million tons of onion from 260,200 hectares of land. This goal is supported by expectations of improved yields, with officials hoping to increase output from 14.68 tons to 15.24 tons per hectare.
However, recent visits to Pabna and Faridpur, two of the largest onion-producing districts, revealed that cultivation has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions, impacting the timely sowing of the Kondo variety. As a result, the cost of onion seeds has surged, with prices reaching $70.59 to $76.47 (Tk 6,000 to Tk 6,500) per kilogram, up from $41.18 to $47.06 (Tk 3,500 to Tk 4,000) a month ago.
Despite the increased production costs, farmers remain engaged in onion cultivation, with expectations that the higher expenses will lead to elevated market prices in the upcoming season. The Pabna DAE reported that 528,010 hectares of land have been dedicated to onion production this year, aiming for a harvest of 782,000 tons.
Source: The Daily Star