Vegetable farming flourishes in Sylhet, but prices remain high

SYLHET, Dec 18: The Sylhet region has seen a successful vegetable farming season this year, with an increase in both yield and cultivation area. Despite a good supply of various vegetables, however, prices remain high in local markets, much to the frustration of consumers.
Vendors at several markets, including Ataur Rahman of Subidbazar in Sylhet city, reported that although the supply of vegetables has increased, retail prices have not decreased accordingly. "We have a good supply of various vegetables, but the prices in the markets remain high," Rahman said.
Current prices for some common vegetables are as follows: cauliflower is selling for Tk 50 per piece, beans for Tk 50 per kg, old potatoes for Tk 30 per kg, and new potatoes for Tk 80 per kg. Small-sized pumpkins are priced at Tk 40 to Tk 50.
Many consumers, such as Shoeb Khan from Bandarbazar, expressed dissatisfaction with the prices. "We are still not seeing affordable prices in the local markets, even though December is nearly over," Khan said. He added that he had heard that middlemen, who collect vegetables from the fields and supply them to wholesalers at Sobhanighat, were taking the bulk of the profit, which is contributing to the high prices.
Despite the higher prices, there has been a strong yield of vegetables such as cauliflower, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, bitter gourd, and pumpkin, among others. However, some farmers faced challenges due to untimely rains, according to Mizanur Rahman, a farmer from Turukbag in Golapganj.
A section of middlemen, it is claimed, is also profiting from the situation, taking advantage of the market dynamics and driving up prices.
On a more positive note, some areas have experienced success in vegetable farming. Abdul Hannan from Kanaighat upazila reported that fresh and quality vegetables were initially available at good prices, and vegetable farming has been on the rise in the region in recent years.
Farmers in Gowainghat upazila, with the support of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), have even created "organic vegetable producing villages." This initiative has proven beneficial, as there is strong demand for organic produce.
Mainuddin, a farmer from Golapganj, shared that many farmers in his area have adopted vegetable farming as a year-round, commercially viable activity.
According to an official from the DAE's Sylhet divisional office, winter vegetables have already been cultivated on over 80,000 hectares of land in the division this season. The official added that around 10,000 farmers received assistance for vegetable farming during the Rabi season.

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