Home ›› 14 Feb 2023 ›› Nation
Local farmers of Narail’s Kalia upazila benefit from Boro paddy seedlings as sales pick up during plantation season.
The upazila Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) expects over Tk 1.5 crore worth of sales this season.
Kalia upazila’s Chachuri Haat (market) is one of the largest seedling markets in the area. At least 2,000 farmers in the area are involved in the production and sale of Boro paddy seedlings.
Many farmers have become self-sufficient by earning extra cash through this seasonal trade.
Paddy seedling trade has been going on in the Chachuri Haat for almost three decades. Farmers of the neighbouring districts including Gopalganj, Khulna and Bagerhat buy seedlings from here.
Some 5,000 people including farmers, traders, labourers and transport drivers in the region are associated with this trade.
According to the farmers, it takes one to one and a half months to produce paddy seedlings in seed beds. They produce the seedlings in between cropping seasons. As a result, their tri-cropping farmlands are now being considered quad-cropping.
Chachuri village is located in Kalia upazila, about 15 km from Narail town. The haat is organised in the village playground next to the Narail-Kalia road. Buyers and sellers were seen busy with the trade as this is the peak season.
Mannu Sheikh, a marginal farmer in the area told The Business Post, the haat sits every Sunday and Thursday from morning to afternoon. Farmers and businessmen of various upazilas of Narail along with neighbouring districts come here to buy seedlings.
Seedling seller Aslam Fakir said, “About 80 bunches of 50-70 seedlings make one pon. One pon of seedlings sells for Tk 300-400 depending on the variety.”
Saddam Sheikh, a farmer of Fuldah village in the upazila, said, “Every year, from the middle of December to the end of February, seedling trade gets a major boon in this market. There are 10 different varieties of seedlings being sold here, most are hybrid varieties.”
Tajibar Sheikh, a farmer of Arpara village of the district’s Lohagara upazila, said, “I buy seedlings from this haat every year. The prices are Tk 20-35 higher this year.”
Morfu Sheikh, a marginal farmer from Purulia village, said the initial cost of cultivating seedlings on 30 bighas of land this year was Tk 22,000-25,000. He expects to sell the seedlings for Tk 50,000 this season.
Another farmer Ripon Molla said, “After harvesting the seedlings we can plant other crops without damaging the soil. As a result, we are getting four crops a year instead of three.”
Seedling trader Aminul Islam said, he buys seedlings from local farmers and sells them at the market. The prices are currently higher due to increased demand during this season.
Abdul Aziz, deputy assistant agriculture officer of Kalia upazila DAE, said about Tk 5-7 lakh seedlings are sold per market day. According to that, at least Tk 1.5 crore worth of seedlings is sold in 2.5 months per season.
Mizan Sheikh, the lessee of the market, said they do not charge the sellers considering most of them are marginal farmers. Those who buy seedlings are charged a fee of Tk 100-150 per rickshaw van.
Purulia Union Parishad Chairman Amirul Islam Mani said, “Due to its location, the tradesmen’s security at this haat is ensured. Seed trade has brought a seasonal income opportunity for at least 5,000 local people.”
He added that union parishad constantly monitors the market to ensure fair trade.
Department of Agricultural Extension, Narail’s Deputy Director Deepak Kumar Roy, said seedlings are sold in the Boro season in several other markets of the district including Chachuri and Borodia markets in Kalia.
“Chachuri is the largest seedling market in the district. Seedling cultivation is a profitable trade. More farmers are gradually becoming interested in seedling production,” he said adding that the farmers are given seeds and fertiliser as incentives.
According to the district DAE sources, Boro paddy has been cultivated on 2,630 hectares of land this year in Narail among which 875 hectares are in Kalia upazila.
