Magura Nalim Farmers' Success Turns Sour

Despite bumper yield of Nalim (a melon variety), farmers in Magura are in great anxiety and frustration as restrictions on movement to slow down coronavirus transmission threatens on-time delivery of the fruit to the market.

Farmers said Nalim is a popular Iftar item but due to the ongoing situation, they fear they will not be able to get their production cost, let alone make any profit.

They said this time there is a bumper production of the fruit in Shibrampur, Atharokhada, Purbabariala and Ichakhada areas but the shortage of customers and increased transportation costs are making things harder for them.

Rabiul Islam, a farmer from Hazrapur village, said he cultivated Nalim on 3.5 bighas of land. Although the yield has been good, he could not take his products to market on time.

''The fruits are rotting in the fields. Although there is a huge demand for Nalim in Ramadan, we are unable to sell it due to coronavirus outbreak,'' he said.

Zahir Sheikh of the same village said he cultivated Nalim on four bighas and bought the fruit from others. ''I can't get a good price because I can't send them to Dhaka. The current price is Tk 5 to 6 per fruit,'' he said.

Zahidul Amin, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension, said farmers cultivated the fruit in 182 hectares of land in the district this year.

''The yield has also been good. We’re giving clearance certificates to farmers who are going to Dhaka to sell their produces so that there is no problem or harassment on the road,'' he said.

Source: UNB