MAGURA, July 01: Green chilli prices have shot up in the district during the last few days.
The necessary kitchen item is being sold at Tk 120 per kg, which was Tk 40 around a week ago.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Magura, sources said a total of 215 hectares of land were brought under the farming of green chilli in the district this season.
The growers have achieved some 360 tonnes of production as the harvest completed one month ago.
Farmer Belal Hossein of Nanduali village under Sadar upazila said chilli prices are high in the retail market.
"When the prices were Tk 40 in the retail market, we sold the produce at Tk 25 in the wholesale market. Still the whole rate is Tk 25 per kg whereas retail rate is Tk 120 per kg", he added.
The grower further said, "We are not benefited from it."
Trader Tilam Hossein said, "We are not purchasing green chilli from Magura farmers. We collect it from Bogura. High transport cost has added with the price. Besides, we purchase the item at a high rate from the farmers. So we sell chilli at a high price."
He further said, "We are making Tk 5.0 profit by selling a kg of green chilli."
Humayan Kabir of the Magura District Traders' Association said chilli price has registered a sharp rise in the local market and common people are suffering extremely.
District marketing officer Jakir Hossein said prices of the vegetable are high across the country.
"However, traders are under our close observation and mobile court will be run very soon in this connection", he added.
Our Joypurhat correspondent adds: Green chilli growers of the district are delighted over the high market price of the produce.
Sources said retailers are purchasing the vegetable from the growers at Tk 90 to Tk 100 and selling them at Tk 120 to Tk 130 to the consumers.
A good number of peasants of the district said they are making a handsome profit from the produce.
"Chilli cultivation has brought financial benefit to farmers, said farmer Shahadat Hossain of Akkelpur upazila.
Farmers spend Tk 30 to Tk 40 to produce a kg of chilli and sell the produce at Tk 90 to Tk 100.
Locally-produced chilli is being transported to Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chattagra, Sylhet and other districts across the country.
Deputy Director of DAE Sudhindranath Roy said chilli growers are delighted for the good market price.
Farmers were provided all necessary support in this connection, he added.