United News of Bangladesh

Onion farmers in Kumarkhali Upazila are struggling with a fertiliser shortfall just as high market prices are driving record planting this season. Last year, onions fetched prices ranging from Tk 35–40 per kilogram at the start of the season, climbing to Tk 120–135 per kilogram later in the year, locals said. This fiscal year, they said, prices currently hover around Tk 85-90 per kilogram, while production costs stand at Tk 22–25 per kilogram, creating a lucrative margin that has prompted many farmers to expand cultivation. Read more: Govt to procure 50,000 mt of non-basmati parboiled rice, 80,000 mt fertiliser But farmers say a lack of essential fertilisers, including urea, TSP, MOP, and DAP, threatens the budding crop. Allegations of dealer collusion are rife, with sub-dealers and intermediaries reportedly charging Tk 5–10 more per kilogram than government-fixed rates. Kumarkhali Upazila has a total cultivable area of 18,240 hectares. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, authorities set a target of 4,920 hectares for onion cultivation, with saplings already planted on 3,690 hectares. Agriculture officials expect the area under cultivation to surpass the target, buoyed by the crop’s profitability. Production costs, including land lease, seeds, fertilisers, and crop care, average around Tk 150,000 per hectare. Yet farmers on the ground say limited access to fertilisers could erode potential profits. “Last year, onions sold for Tk 40 to Tk 135 per kilogram, which motivated many to switch to onion cultivation,” said Laltu Ali Sheikh of Panti Union. “But we cannot get sufficient fertilisers.” Farmers claim dealers provide only 10–20 kilograms per bigha at official prices, forcing them to buy extra at higher rates. Sub-dealers are reportedly selling TSP at Tk 1,850–2,000 per sack, DAP at Tk 1,450–1,600, and MOP at Tk 1,150–1,200, significantly above official prices of Tk 1,350, Tk 1,050, and Tk 1,000, respectively. Khondakar Abdul Gaffar, president of the Kushtia BCIC Fertiliser Dealers Association, acknowledged government supply shortfalls but denied deliberate overpricing by dealers. “Some sub-dealers and unscrupulous traders buy from various sources and sell at higher rates. Legal action is needed against them,” he said. Local authorities maintain that fertiliser availability is stable. Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Raisul Islam said, “Fertilisers are being sold at fair prices. Some unscrupulous traders sold at higher rates but were fined.” Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Akhter added that authorities are monitoring dealer syndicates and taking action to ensure fertilisers are sold at government-fixed rates. Read more: Overuse of chemical fertilisers threatens soil health in northern Bangladesh Meanwhile, fields in Yaduboyra, Panti, Bagulat, Nandalalpur, and Chapra unions are alive with activity. Groups of 20–30 people, including farmers, labourers, and students, are planting onion seedlings. Some students are earning Tk 500 per day to help cover labour shortages. For Kushtia’s onion growers, the challenge is clear: lucrative returns are on offer, but without timely access to fertilisers, the season’s promise could be undercut, according to local market observers.

The government is emphasizing cultivation of onions during summer or the off season for onion self-sufficiency, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said on Tuesday. During the peak onion season, the country cultivates enough onions, but due to lack of storage technology, many onions get rotten, the minister said at the Aman paddy harvesting festival and Liberation War memorial centre inauguration in Damurhuda upazila of Chuadanga. “For this, we have to import onions to meet the demand,” he added. The Agriculture Ministry is implementing a roadmap to reduce onion import dependency. And the production of onion has increased by 10 lakh tonnes in the last two years, said Razzaque. Read more: Bangladesh to export onions in 2-3 years: Agricultural Minister “We also focus on off season or summer onion cultivation. It has many possibilities.” Self-sufficiency can be achieved through summer onion cultivation, said the minister. He also said farmers are being provided all the support including seeds, fertilisers and technology in this regard. Besides, the country has enough food in stock. There will be no crisis of food in Bangladesh, and no famine if no major natural disaster occurs, he said, expecting bumper yield of Aman paddy in the upcoming season. Read more: Instability in onion price as import declines through Hili land port “The current government is working tirelessly to make agriculture profitable. Instead of cultivating only paddy and jute, high value crops and fruits should be cultivated, only then agriculture will be profitable.” Regarding imports of agricultural machinery, Razzaque said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working on agricultural mechanisation. The implementation of the project of Tk 3000 crore is underway.” He also urged the country’s industrialists to come forward and invest in producing agricultural machinery. “Then import dependency on agricultural machinery will be reduced,” he added.