Nazirpur upazila in Pirojpur: Rain causes losses for sapling growers

Farmers producing vegetable saplings on floating seedbeds in Pirojpur’s Nazirpur upazila have been counting losses due to sharp drop in market demand amid prolonged rainfall.

Many are being forced to sell saplings at low prices and are unable to cover their production costs.

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Mohammad Yasain, a farmer from Mugarjhor village, said producing each pair of bottle gourd saplings costs at least Tk 4, but they are being forced to sell for only Tk 2, much below the usual price of Tk 7-8.

Farmers expressed concern that the losses will mount unless the weather improves soon.

Hundreds of farmers in Daulbari Dobra, Kolardoania and Malikhali unions of Nazirpur upazila, as well as Boldia union of neighbouring Nesarabad upazila, grow a wide range of seasonal vegetable saplings on floating seedbeds, including bottle gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin, bean, papaya, chilli, eggplant and tomato.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, floating seedbeds have been prepared on around 190 hectares of marshland in Nazirpur this year.

Early in the season, however, bottle gourd saplings account for most of their production. A single floating seedbed can produce up to 1,200 bottle gourd saplings.

Seeds were planted around two months ago. The saplings became ready for sale within a month, but persistent rains disrupted demand during the peak marketing period, said farmers.

Mohammad Mohsin, another local farmer, said while they have been facing marketing difficulties during monsoon every year, this time the situation worsened.

Another farmer, Kawser Hossain, alleged that wholesale buyers are offering lower prices taking advantage of weak retail demand.

“As a result, we are unable to make any profit this time,” he said.

Farmers also said they receive no financial assistance for producing vegetable saplings, and urged for support to survive the ongoing difficult circumstances.

Contacted, Esratunnesa Easha, upazila agriculture officer in Nazirpur, confirmed the matter and said they expect the situation to improve soon.

She added that there is currently no government financial assistance programme for vegetable sapling producers.

“If such assistance becomes available, we will provide support to them,” she said.