Downtrend of onion price has caused a mixed reaction among the people in the district.
Onion was sold at Tk 250 per kg around two months back and it was Tk 140 to Tk 150 per kg one week ago. Now onion is being sold in the retail market at Tk 70 per kg.
People are happy with the downtrend in the price of onion. On the other hand declining price of onion is disheartening onion growers.
Due to price hike of onion farmers in the district have brought record amount of land under onion cultivation with a hope of handsome profit. But now they apprehend onion price may fall further shattering their dream.
DAE, Magura sources said over 9,200 hectares of land have been brought under onion cultivation in the district this season as against 4,500 hectares last year.
Biren Shikder of Tengakhali village under Magura Sadar said, "I cultivated onion on one bigha of land last year. As onion price registered sharp rise I have expanded onion cultivation at two bighas of land."
"But onion is now being sold at Tk 70 per kg as against Tk 250 two months back. If onion price falls in this way, let alone profit, growers will count a huge loss."
District marketing officer Jakir Hossen said onion price is on decline in the district. He said onion growers should not to be worried. However, they will surely make profit from the sale of their produce.
DAE official Shohrab Hossen said onion has been cultivated in the district in record area this season.
He said new onion will be harvested after a month. The government is importing onion to control the market. However, government is conscious over the interest of farmers. So there is no reason for onion growers to worry.
