Staff Reporter:
Heavy rain and recent floods have damaged vegetable fields across Lalmonirhat, reducing market supplies and driving up prices of green chillies and other vegetables.
Farmers, traders and officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said excessive rainfall and flooding have destroyed crops in many areas of the district, disrupting production and creating a supply shortage in local markets.
At wholesale markets in Barabari and Goshala Bazar on Thursday, green chillies were selling at Tk800 per dhara (5kg), or Tk160 per kg. In retail markets, the price rose to Tk240 per kg.
Retail traders Jahangir Alam and Shahabuddin Haque at Senamoitree Hawkers’ Market said they were selling green chillies at Tk240 per kg after adding transport and other costs.
Wholesale trader Ashraful Haque of Barabari vegetable market said reduced production caused by heavy rain has pushed up prices in major wholesale markets, including Dhaka, with the impact also reaching Lalmonirhat.
Farmer Hafizur Rahman, who brought green chillies to Goshala Bazar, said most vegetable crops had been destroyed by heavy rain, leaving many growers with heavy losses. “Those who managed to save part of their crop are getting good prices, but overall farmers have suffered,” he said, urging government assistance for affected growers. Consumers Alamuddin and Nizami Rahman said the rising cost of vegetables, along with other essential commodities, has increased household expenses and made it difficult for low- and middle-income families to manage.
A visit to local markets in Aditmari, Kaliganj, Hatibandha and Patgram, found pointed gourd selling at Tk60 per kg, small bitter gourd Tk100, snake gourd Tk50, ridge gourd Tk60, okra Tk100, brinjal Tk70, cucumber Tk80, tomato Tk180, ginger Tk200, onion Tk50 and garlic Tk80 per kg. Pumpkin was selling at Tk50-60 per piece, while coriander leaves were priced at Tk100 per bunch.
Barabari vegetable market leaseholder Mosharraf Ali expressed hope that prices would ease once production and market supplies recover. Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Deputy Director Dr Md Saikhul Arifin said vegetables had been damaged by excessive rainfall and floods in different parts of the district.
He said production and market supply are expected to improve after floodwater recedes, which should gradually bring vegetable prices, including those of green chillies, back to normal.
