Price hike unreasonable as indigenous onion dominates Magura market

MAGURA, Aug 25: Indigenous onion is still dominating Magura market. But the local traders are exploiting consumers in excuse of rise in Indian onion price.

During a visit to Kathakhali, Moghi, Jagdal and Puratan bazar of Magura indigenous onion was seen to be sold. Indian onion was seen nowhere during the visit. Onion was seen to be sold at Tk 85 per kg as against Tk 60 one week ago.

When contacted, Faizul Hoque, a onion farmer of village Jagla under Magura sadar upazila said, "We sold onion at Tk 52 per kg in the wholesale market two weeks ago, and we are still selling onion at the same rate. But why it is being sold at 85 tk per kg in the retail market is not understandable to us.

Meer Naser, an onion retailer of Magura Puratan bazaar said, "As onion price has increased in India, we are being compelled to sell onion at high price." But there is no reality in his comment as he was seen to sell indigenous species of onion.

Requesting anonymity, an official of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Magura said, the total demand of onion in our country is 2.2 million tonnes while our local production is 1.9 million tonnes (19 lakhs and 30 thousand tonnes). Moreover, a huge amount of Indian onion is lying stocked in the country which was brought 2 months ago. So there is no reason for price hike of onion at present.

When contacted, district marketing officer Md Jakir Hossen admitted onion price is high in the market at present. But he dispelled the allegation of monitoring weakness.

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