Bogura poised to earn Tk3b from chilli yield, despite lower acreage

BOGURA, May 12: Northern district of Bogura, well-known for its red chillies, is on course to generate nearly Tk3.0 billion from chilli production in the current fiscal year, even though cultivation fell short of the targeted acreage.

Officials estimate that chilli worth about Tk1.13 billion has been produced in Sariakandi upazila alone, the district's largest hub for growing the spice.

Farmers are expecting hefty profits this season, supported by higher yields and higher prices despite a reduction in planted area.

However, recent spells of gusty rain have disrupted drying and storage, according to yard owners.

Data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) show that chilli output during the Robi (October-March) and Kharif (March-June) seasons reached Tk2.4755 billion including green chilli, and total sales in the district are expected to approach Tk3.0 billion.

The cultivation target for the season was set at 5,915 hectares, against which 5,550 hectares were achieved.

In the Robi season alone, farmers harvested 17,799 tonnes of chilli, with an estimated market value of Tk2.23 billion.

Production is concentrated along the Jamuna river basin, particularly in Sariakandi, where fertile silt deposits from annual flooding reduce the need for fertilisers and pesticides.

Of the upazila's 12 unions, seven are char (riverine) areas, where more than half of the land is under chilli cultivation. Female agricultural labourers are widely employed in these areas.

Last year, chilli cultivation in Sariakandi covered 3,705 hectares. Other producing upazilas include Sonatala, Gabtali, Dhunat and Sherpur, mainly in the char lands of the Jamuna and Bangali rivers.

According to DAE, chilli farming and processing have created employment for 453,975 people in the district. Female workers earn about Tk200 per day on average.

Abed Ali, a farmer from Charbatiya village in Sariakandi, told the FE that yield had been strong this year.

He cultivated local high-yielding chilli varieties on two bighas of land, down from 3.5 bighas last year, and harvested 18 maunds of dried chilli.

He sold them at Tk8,000 per maund, while production costs per bigha ranged between Tk25,000 and Tk30,000.

Wholesale trader Hazrat Ali said green chillies are generally sold in local markets, while large commercial firms procure dried chillies through local agents.

Visits to drying yards in Hat Fulbari area showed large

quantities of red chillies were spread out for drying and sorting, with women making up the bulk of the workforce.

Abeda, a female labourer, said she works from 8:00am to 5:00pm during the peak drying season, earning Tk180 per day to support her family.

Male worker Touhidul Islam said he earns Tk400 per day for tasks including spreading, turning and bagging chillies.

MozammelHaque, a yard owner and president of the Sariakandi Rice Mill Owners' Association, said around 30 workers are employed at his facility, most of them women.

He purchased 60 tonnes of chilli last year and plans to buy around 200 tonnes this season, which will be dried, sorted and packed into 20kg bags for sale to companies.

He said that companies have yet to set procurement prices, which are typically adjusted several times due to market volatility.

Last year's peak buying price reached Tk10,000 per maund, while current market rates range between Tk8,000 and Tk12,000 depending on quality.

Suman Mia, a local distributor for Square Company, said three maunds of fresh chilli yield about one maund of dried product.

He added that the dried chilli market is currently strong, with prices between Tk16,000 and Tk18,000 per maund.

Sohail Mohammad Shamsuddin Firoz, deputy director of the Bogura DAE, said the district's bright red chillies enjoy a strong nationwide reputation.

"Although the acreage target was not met, yields have been robust and total output is expected to exceed projections," he said.

He added that chilli harvesting and drying provide seasonal employment for around 40,000 women.

With dried chillies currently selling at around Tk200 per kilogram, officials expect total trade in Bogura to reach Tk3billion if prices hold.

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