Sharp fall in parble prices frustrates Pabna farmers

PABNA, June 8: Growers in nine upazilas of the district have seen excellent parble (potol) production this season due to favourable weather conditions and necessary agro-input supports. But low price against a bumper production frustrates the growers.
A large number of farmers here cultivated parble abundantly this year as they have benefited greatly from the crop over the last few years. Unfortunately, they are not getting fair prices this year.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) had set a target to bring 4,322 hectares of land under parble cultivation in nine upazilas of the district. A bumper yield of parble has turned burden for the growers of the district as they are facing losses due to unusual price fall of their produce, said Bibhuti Bhushon Sarker, deputy director of DAE.
This correspondent visited indifferent haat bazars including Tebunia, Hazirhat in Sadar upazila and Debattar haat in Atghoria upazila of the district and found parble is being sold at Tk 200 to Tk 250 per maund against Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200 last year in the local markets.
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