Farmers in Tetulia are turning their backs on wheat due to lack of fair price

Wheat was once one of the main crops in Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh. But now due to not getting fair price, increasing production cost and various inconsistencies in market management, farmers are losing interest in wheat cultivation. As a result, wheat cultivation in this region is gradually decreasing and farmers are turning towards other profitable crops including maize, chilli.

According to the Panchagarh Department of Agricultural Extension, although the target of wheat cultivation in the district was set at 21,158 hectares of land in the current season, 20,240 hectares have been cultivated. Out of this, the highest wheat cultivation has been in Tentulia upazila, where wheat has been produced on about 6,100 hectares of land. However, despite the increase in production, there is no smile on the faces of farmers. Wheat is being sold at only 1000 to 1100 taka per maund in local markets, which many farmers are unable to cover even the cost of production.

According to local elders, before the modern agricultural system, the Tentulia region was plagued by mange. At that time, wheat was the main food of the people, and wheat was cultivated extensively in this region. But with the changing times, the type of agriculture has changed. Now farmers are leaning towards profitable crops, and wheat is losing its old importance.

Hafizur Rahman, a farmer from Tirnai Hat in the upazila, said, “It is no longer profitable to cultivate wheat. The price of wheat in the market is low, but the price of chili or corn is much higher. We do not even get the opportunity to sell wheat at the price fixed by the government. The names of real farmers are not on the list of wheat buyers in the food warehouses, and syndicates work there.”

The farmers complain that even though the government fixes the price of wheat, it is difficult to sell wheat at that price in reality. Due to the failure to start government procurement activities on time, irregularities in the list and the violence of middlemen, real farmers are being deprived. Due to this, they are having to count their losses and are being forced to turn away from wheat cultivation.

In this regard, Sabrina Afrin, Upazila Agriculture Officer of Tentulia, said, “Farmers are cultivating all types of crops, but interest in wheat has decreased somewhat. Basically, farmers get discouraged if they do not get a fair price for their produce. We are providing regular advice and assistance to the farmers.”

All in all, it can be seen that there is a risk that wheat cultivation in Tentulia will decrease further if a fair price is not ensured. Market control, transparent procurement policy and the elimination of middlemen are necessary to protect the interests of farmers.