Padma Bridge to expedite supply of fresh produce

The opening of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge will expedite the supply of fresh produce from the country’s southern districts as farmers will be able to transport fruits, vegetables, and fish to Dhaka markets in the shortest time possible after the bridge opens on June 25.

It will take less time and money to transport at least 8 to 9 different types of daily commodities, such as fish, meat, fruits, flowers, vegetables, and spices.

According to traders, the majority of the products coming from the south of the country are perishable and must be transported quickly.

Almost all of these food and agricultural products, such as fruits, flowers, pulses, shrimp, and betel leaves, come from the southern districts of Barishal, Khulna, and Faridpur.

The districts that are expected to directly benefit from the Padma Bridge are Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Satkhira, Narail, Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, and Magura of the Khulna division. Barishal, Pirojpur, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Jhalokati of the Barishal division. And Gopalganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, and Rajbari of the Dhaka division.

Touhid Sardar, a fish monger at Karwan Bazar, said that everyone, from wholesalers to retailers to consumers, will benefit once the Padma Bridge is open to the public because it will save time and money.

“At the moment, even if the ferry is functioning properly, it takes us 6 to 7 hours to bring fish to Dhaka from various districts in the south, including Khulna. The bridge will bring the travel time down to three hours,” he added.

He went on to say that transporting imported fish from Benapole to Dhaka via the Aricha ghat now takes 10-12 hours, whereas the Padma Bridge will provide a direct route, cutting the time and cost by half.

As a result, customers will get fresher fish at the kitchen markets, while farmers and storekeepers will be able to avoid spoilage, he also added.

Southern goods meet the needs

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension and the Department of Fisheries and Livestock, every year the south produces a significant portion of the country’s fish, vegetables, spices, and flowers, among other agricultural products, which are distributed throughout the country.

Fish

The country produces more than 37.24 lakh tonnes of fish in various water bodies, including rivers, haors, canals, and ponds. Of which 31 per cent or more than 11.67 lakh tonnes come from Khulna, Bagerhat and other southern districts.

Vegetables

More than 25 per cent of winter vegetables come from different southern districts, including Kushtia and Chuadanga. The country produces 1.30 crore tonnes of winter vegetables, of which 32 lakh tonnes are produced in the southern districts, with Jashore producing the highest of 11.7 lakh tonnes.

Onion, garlic

A total of 25.6 lakh tonnes of onions were produced in the country in FY19-20.

Of this, 53 per cent, or 13.65 lakh tonnes of onions, came from the south, with Faridpur producing the majority (9.4 lakh tonnes).

Meanwhile, despite the fact that garlic production in the south is not as high, it still accounts for one-fourth, or 25 per cent, of the total production in the country.

Chilli

Bogra is the country’s largest pepper producer. However, a significant portion comes from the south. A total of 2.52 lakh tonnes of dried chillies are produced in the country. The south contributes about 1 lakh tonnes, or 37 per cent of the total.

Pulses

The country’s demand for a variety of pulses such as gram, lentil, khesari, and mashkalai is met through domestic supply. The country, on average, produces around a total of 2.95 lakh tonnes of gram every year.

Of this, 94 per cent, or 2.79 lakh tonnes of gram, comes from the south, with Barishal producing the majority (2.78 lakh tonnes). Meanwhile, out of the country’s total khesari production of 3.14 lakh tonnes, 67 per cent, or 2.11 lakh tonnes, comes from the south. And, of the country’s total lentil production of 2.6 lakh tonnes, 67 per cent, or 1.73 lakh tonnes, comes from the south.

Flowers

Jashore and Jhenaidah in the south are meeting more than 65 per cent of the country’s flower demand, including roses, gladioluses, tuberoses, and marigolds.

Other

About 26 per cent of the country’s total demand for maize is being met from the south. Aside from that, some districts, such as Barishal in the south, are the primary producers of guava, mango, and coconut. Barishal also meets the demand for betel leaves both at home and abroad.