Home ›› 24 Jan 2023 ›› Nation
Farmers of Dinajpur are happy with the increased price of paddy alongside a bumper yield in the district this season.
According to the farmers, the price of coarse-grained paddy has increased by Tk 75-125 per maund and fine-grained paddy by Tk 150-200 per maund. Alongside increased prices of the crops, farmers are happy about the availability of seeds, fertiliser and other agricultural products.
However, mill owners and traders complain that due to the increased prices of paddy, they are making only a marginal profit.
The largest paddy market of Dinajpur Sadar upazila is in Raniganj where the trade goes on from dawn to noon. The market is organised on both sides of the highway where farmers stack rows of rice on vans and battery-run auto-rickshaws.
According to related sources, the price of paddy has gone up due to large corporations being interested in buying rice. Traders from other districts including Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, and Kushtia also visit the market to buy rice.
Farmers are currently selling coarse-grained Sumon Swarna, Guti Swarna and Swarna paddy for Tk 1,150-1,225 per maund and fine-grained Katari and Chinigura paddy for Tk 2,600-2,750 per maund.
According to farmers Habibur Rahman and Jamil Ali of the area, fine-grained paddy has been cultivated more in the region this season.
“I sold Katari for Tk 2,650 per maund and Jira Katari for Tk 2,775 per maund at the market. Last year the price was around Tk 2,400 per maund,” said Habibur.
Farmer Harendra Nath cultivated coarse-grained Sumon Swarna and Guti Swarna paddy this season. He sold his harvest for Tk 1,150-1,225 per maund at the market.
Hamidul Haque, a wholesale paddy trader, said the price of paddy has gone up due to low imports. Last season the prices were Tk 100-150 lower.
Mill owner Rafiz Uddin said they are making a marginal profit due to the high prices of paddy. “Wholesale price of rice is low compared to what we are paying for the paddy.”
Bangladesh Krishok League Dinajpur District President Azizur Rahman Chowdhury said since farmers are getting a better price for their harvest in the markets, they are not interested in selling paddy to the government.
“The government will fail to meet its target for the paddy collection campaign. The market price of paddy is Tk 29-31 but the government is offering Tk 28 per kg,” he said.
Meanwhile, district food controller Md Kamal Hossain said the rice cultivation target has been fulfilled by 93 per cent in the district. However, he expressed apprehension that the government will not be able to achieve the paddy procurement target.
“The government will purchase 47,688 tonnes of rice from contracted millers and 14,400 tonnes of paddy from farmers in Dinajpur. But the farmers are not interested in selling paddy to the government as the market prices are higher,” he said.
