Bangladesh: Cut out middlemen, save guava growers
Guava in the local market is now selling for as low as Tk 1 per kg while the price goes up to Tk 40-50 when the item reaches the capital and other areas of the country. (Tk 1= $0.013 USD)
The situation has arisen as most of the profit goes to the middlemen, said farmers.
"I had to sell guava for Tk 30 per maund (40 kg) this season," said farmer Amulya Mondol who came to sell his produce at Bhimruli, the biggest floating guava market in Jhalakathi district.
Buyers from different areas come with large engine boats to buy the fruit in large amounts.
“I buy per kg of guava for Tk 2 to 5 and sell it for Tk 15 to 20 in different areas including Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Comilla. I would give the sellers better price if the communications were good,” said Shah Alam Jamaddar, who is engaged in the business for 35 years.
Local farmers have demanded establishing a fruit processing factory where they can sell their fruits for fair prices.
“In last year, we trained 25 farmers on how to make jam and jelly from the fruits, but they rarely utilised the knowledge,” said Abul Hossen Mia, agriculture extension officer of Jhalakathi Sadar.
Source: thedailystar.net