Fall in price, low production frustrate Magura honey collectors

MAGURA, Feb 06: Fall in price and low production of honey are frustrating the honey collectors of Magura.

Sources informed, about 5,400 bee boxes were installed in 85 bee firms in the district. They were expecting about 100 tons honey this season.

But the production has been hampered. This year due to lack of dense fog mustard flowers were not so matured for production.

The total production will stand at 80 tons. On the other hand mustard is now being sold at Tk 4,500 per maund as against Tk 6,500 per maund last year.

Jalal Hossen, a bee keeper of village Vabonhati under Magura Sadar upazila said, this year I installed 100 boxes in my firm and expected 50 maunds of honey. But the production will stand 40 maunds.

Moreover honey price has fallen by Tk 1,000 per maund this year compared to last year. In this situation my earning will stand at 0.2 million. This earning will cover only my production cost instead of profit.

Palli Prokriti executive director Shafiqur Rahman said honey collection holds a bright prospect in this district. Employment can be created in the district by expanding honey collection. But marketing facility is a must here. Government and NGOs should work right from now to create marketing facility for honey collectors.

Magura DAE official Shohrab Hossen admitted dense fog was absent in the district this year.

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