Early winter vegetable production in Bogura has suffered a setback this season due to untimely rainfall, adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in temperature, leaving farmers worried about declining yields and weak market prices.
Although cultivation costs have fallen slightly compared with last year, farmers say the sharp decline in production and vegetable prices has left many struggling to recover their expenses.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and local farmers, the cost of cultivating a bigha of land with around 10 varieties of early winter vegetables including cabbage, spinach, beans and tomatoes is about Tk.30,000 this season around Tk.5,000 less than last year.
The decline in costs, mainly due to the availability of farm labour, encouraged farmers to expand cultivation. The total area under early winter vegetables has increased by around 4,500 bighas to 15,775 bighas this year.
However, the increase in cultivation area has not translated into higher yields because of unfavourable weather.
Farmers said repeated rainfall and sudden temperature changes have damaged both the quality and quantity of vegetables.
Last year, farmers harvested around 60-62 maunds of vegetables per bigha. This year, production has fallen to around 35-40 maunds per bigha, according to local growers.
At the same time, market prices have also declined. Good-quality vegetables fetched an average of Tk.125 per kilogram last year, while the average price this season has fallen to around Tk 108. The price of vegetables has also dropped from Tk.4,000–4,200 per maund last year to around Tk.2,800-3,000 this year.
“Last year, I harvested around 60 maunds per bigha and received good prices. This year, production has fallen to 35-40 maunds, while prices are below Tk 3,000 per maund,” said a farmer in Bogura.
“After paying for fertiliser, pesticides and labour, we are suffering heavy losses. This could affect our ability to invest in the next cropping season,” he added.
Despite the losses reported by farmers, the DAE remains optimistic about meeting the season’s overall production target.
DAE data show that more than 1,000 tonnes of early winter vegetables had already been produced in Bogura by September. Officials said excessive rainfall and increased pesticide use in some areas have affected crop growth, although no major outbreak of pests or diseases has been reported so far.
Agriculture officials said farmers are being provided with localised weather bulletins and advance information about rainfall and temperature conditions to help them take necessary measures.
The DAE expects production of early winter vegetables in Bogura to exceed 45,000 tonnes this season if weather conditions remain favourable in the coming weeks.
