Onion farmers across Magura are spending long days in the fields this season, but concerns over rising costs and uncertain prices are dampening their hopes despite widespread cultivation.
From early morning, farmers are seen transplanting seedlings and irrigating land through thick winter fog, as Magura’s soil remains highly suitable for onion farming and the district has set a cultivation target of around 13,000 hectares this season.
With a minimum yield target of 18 tonnes per hectare, total onion production in the district is expected to reach at least 2,34,000 tonnes, which could generate around Tk120 crore for farmers if prices remain at a minimum of Tk50 per kilogram.
However, farmers say multiple challenges at the very start of the season are threatening that projection, as fertiliser distribution problems, sharp increases in seed and pesticide prices and higher agricultural labour wages turn onion farming into a risky venture rather than a profitable one.
A visit to onion-growing areas including Naliar Dangi, Atharokhada, Benipur and Nalda shows large tracts of land under cultivation, but farmers’ faces reflect anxiety rather than confidence.
Farmer Roich Sheikh of Naliar Dangi village in Magura Sadar said production costs have risen sharply this year, while fertiliser is often unavailable in required quantities despite waiting in long queues at dealer shops, forcing farmers to buy from outside sources at higher prices.
Another farmer from the same village, Nabi Khan, said onion seed and pesticide prices have gone beyond farmers’ reach, while pesticides often fail to work properly and sub-assistant agriculture officers rarely visit fields to assess problems, leaving farmers exposed to losses early in the season.
Uttam Biswas of Nalda village said hiring a single labourer now costs Tk800 per day along with two meals, adding that even after bearing such expenses, farmers often fail to get fair prices during the harvest season.
Recalling past experiences, farmers said government announcements on onion imports at the start of the season frequently push market prices down, benefiting middlemen while farmers struggle to recover their costs.
Farmer Mahiuddin Ahmed of Benipur village said even if production goes well, failing to secure fair prices at the end makes the entire effort meaningless, adding that loans taken for cultivation are causing sleepless nights due to uncertainty.
The Department of Agricultural Extension, however, said there is no fertiliser shortage in the district, with Magura Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Md Tajul Islam saying fertiliser supply remains normal according to demand and advising farmers not to overuse fertilisers and pesticides.
He also said any issues would be addressed quickly through sub-assistant agriculture officers, according to the department.
Overall, onion farming in Magura this season stands at a crossroads of potential and uncertainty, as farmers say timely fertiliser supply, stronger field-level agricultural support and fair market prices will be crucial to prevent losses.
