Farmers in different districts of the country are incurring huge financial losses thanks to supply chain disruptions caused by anti-quota clashes and movement restrictions by the authorities.
Amid anti-quota protests turning violent and compelling the authorities enforce stringent movement restrictions, cultivators of perishable agri items like vegetables and mangoes are the worst sufferers, report our correspondents from different districts.
In Pabna, vegetables farmers are worried about their crops as sending agri items to Dhaka is now difficult and, consequently costlier. In many areas, vegetables are rotting at fields.
Abul Bashar of Beriun village in Pabna Sadar upazila said, "Markets are seeing thin buyer turnout, while agri-item laden vehicles cannot move on roads smoothly. As a result, farmers are counting losses."
Johurul Islam, a green chilli grower, echoed Bashar.
Humayun Kabir, a vegetable wholesaler at Boro Bazar in Pabna city, said, "What would I do after buying vegetables from the farmers if I cannot send those to Dhaka amid blockade and curfew?"
Jamal Uddin, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Pabna, said, "Vegetables grown in Pabna are sent to Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts. But, the current situation is difficult due to violent protests and curfew, leading to farmers incurring losses."
In Lalmonirhat, vegetable farmers are also worried about potential losses due to nationwide curfew.
Local vegetables hubs such as Mogolhat, Durakuti, Durgapur, Fulgach, Megharum of Sadar upazila Kumrirhat, Velabari, Hagiganj and Lohakhuchi of Aditmari upazila are well known for supplying agri produce to major cities.
Even a week ago, farmers said they sold their produces at fair rates at local markets. However, in the past four to five days, they are not getting adequate buyers offering fair prices.
Sajjol Mia, a farmer of Mogolhat union of Lalmonirhat sadar, said that he cultivated bitter gourd on 5 bighas of land in the current season. He sold it at Tk 80-90 per kg one week ago, but he had to sell only at Tk 50 per kg in local market on Saturday.
Moslem Uddin, another farmer of the same union, said he cultivated gourd on his field. Per piece of gourd was at Tk 50-55, but now it is Tk 40-45. Farmers said heavy rain damaged most of the vegetables, particularly green chilli, this year. Now if the supply chain issues persist, they would be devastated.
In Rangpur, growers send their crops to different districts including Dhaka and Chattogram.
Badiar Rahman, a vegetable grower of Palichara area in Rangpur Sadar upazila, said, "Currently, we are being deprived of fair prices as buyers from different areas cannot come to us. Taking advantage of the situation, intermediaries are offering very low prices. Many growers are compelled to sell their produces at throwaway prices."
In Chandpur, due to student "shutdown" and curfew, busy and bustling Boro Station fishghat has been in a deserted look for the past couple of days.
From coastal Hatiya and Bhola, most of hilsa fishes are sent to this ghat by trucks and pick-ups.
On Sunday, Driver Shohag Bepari said, "Only three trucks loaded with 300 maunds hilsa reached here at 11:00 am. On the other day, 14/15 trucks carrying hilsa used to come to this ghat from Hatiya, Bhola and Charfashion."
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