High production cost, low market rate dishearten lentil growers

Our Correspondent

MAGURA, Apr 07: A bumper production of lentil has failed to bring smile on the faces of farmers in the district due to the low market price.

A good number of farmers said lentil production cost has increased by 20 per cent this season. On the other, the produce is being sold at Tk 2100 per maund in the local market which is Tk 900 lower than that of the previous year.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Magura, sources said a total of 14,305 hectares of land were brought under the farming of the item. Around 19,160 tonnes of lentil have been achieved.

Farmer Belal Hossein of Moghi village under Magura Sadar said he cultivated lentil on two bighas of land and made a profit of Tk 5,000 this year. "Last year I made a profit of Tk 10,000", he added.

Uday Shaha, a wholesaler in Notun Bazar area of the district town said imported- lentil is dominating the market. Its price is lower than the locally produced one.

Magura DAE official Gobinda Kumar Zoarder said lentil price is lower this year. He urged the growers not to be worried as market price may improve within a short days.

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