Making Munshiganj an onion hub

Munshiganj has six upazilas. Those are Lauhoganj, Sirajdikhan, Tongibari, Gojaria and Munshiganj Sadar. The sandy soil of all these upazilas is suitable not only for potato but for onion cultivation. The farmers of Munshiganj are innovative and ready to take new challenges. This year, onion production has increased significantly in this central district as it has suitable soil and weather for growing onions. Also, there are a number of cold storages in Munshiganj where onion can be preserved. So, it can be an ideal place for onion cultivation.
Crisis of onion is nothing new for us. We need 2.4 million tonnes of onion a year, according to the government data. We usually import 1.1 million tonnes of onion, mainly from neighbouring India, to meet our supply shortfall. When India imposes ban on onion export, we fall in trouble and onion prices skyrocket. If we want a permanent solution, we must become self-sufficient in onion production. And it would be possible only when we have a number of onion cultivation hubs. So, we urge the authorities concerned to hold a meeting of experts and farmers of all six upazilas of Munshiganj so that they can receive hands-on training on onion farming. Our researchers should also work on developing high-yielding varieties of onion.
Md Ashraf Hossain,
120 Central Bashabo, Dhaka,
[email protected]