Vast tract to be brought under onion cultivation to cut ‘import dependency’

Onion growers in Jashore are expecting to make a record harvest this year. They are busy rearing their fields these days, reports UNB.

Every year, Bangladesh witnesses onion crises. In October 2020, for instance, the country saw a record hike in onion prices after neighbouring India banned its export.

However, this year, the farmers in Jashore are expecting to end the dependency on India in this regard.

Last year, the district produced some 20,440 metric tonnes of onion. And this year, the district authorities have set a higher target by planning to bring 1,910 hectares of land under onion cultivation.

"We are giving extra attention to our fields. We expect a bumper production this year, and in turn, a windfall profit," a farmer told the news agency. "Winter season is the best time to cultivate onion,” he added.

In fact, the department of agriculture Extension (DAE) has also set a production target of 21,831 tonnes by bringing 1,910 hectares under onion cultivation in the eight upazilas of the district.

According to officials, some 330 hectares of land would be brought under onion cultivation in Manirampur upazila, 150 hectares in Sadar, 210 hectares in Sharsha and 540 hectares in Jikhorgachha upazila.

Similarly, a total of 460 hectares of land would be brought under onion cultivation in Chougachha upazila, 30 hectares in Abhaynagar, 70 hectares in Bagharpara and 120 hectares in Keshabpur upazila of the district.

SM Maruful Haque, the deputy assistant officer in the local DAE office, said, “We are visiting onion fields regularly and providing the farmers with valuable advice. If the weather remains favourable, we expect a bumper onion production this year."

Badal Chandra Biswas, the deputy director of DAE, Jashore region, said, “This year, a target has been set to bring 1,910 hectares of land under onion cultivation. Already 1,073 hectares have been brought under cultivation in the district."