Naogaon, Sep 27 (V7N)- Farmers in Naogaon, one of Bangladesh's major paddy-producing districts, are facing higher production costs following a Tk 20 per liter increase in diesel prices.
With diesel now priced at Tk 135 per liter, farmers say expenses for irrigation, land preparation, threshing and crop transportation could increase by Tk 1,500 to Tk 2,500 per bigha during the upcoming Boro season.
Diesel-powered irrigation pumps, tractors, power tillers and threshing machines are widely used in Naogaon for paddy, vegetable and other crop production. Farmers say the fuel price increase is therefore affecting several stages of cultivation.
Abdus Salam, a farmer from Shikarpur in Sadar Upazila, said the combined cost of irrigation, land preparation, threshing and transportation could increase by Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500 per bigha.
He estimated that irrigation alone could cost an additional Tk 800 to Tk 1,000 per bigha, while land preparation and threshing expenses are also expected to rise.
"The prices of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides had already gone up. Now, with the hike in diesel prices, costs are increasing across every stage—from land preparation to harvesting and bringing the paddy home," he said.
Asib Ali, a farmer from Brindarampur in Mahadebpur Upazila, said much of the farmland in his area is located on higher ground, requiring more water for irrigation. He estimated that irrigation costs could increase by about Tk 1,000 per bigha, with another Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500 added for land preparation, threshing and transportation.
Saiduzzaman, a sharecropper from Raninagar, estimated additional costs of Tk 700 to Tk 800 for irrigation, Tk 700 to Tk 900 for land preparation and threshing, and several hundred taka for transporting paddy. He said the total additional expense could reach Tk 1,500 to Tk 2,500 per bigha.
"We are having to calculate these extra costs even before the harvest is brought in. However, it remains unknown whether the price of paddy will rise proportionately," he said.
Abdul Kader Hira, a farmer from Goneshpur village in Manda, said diesel is needed at almost every stage of paddy cultivation and transportation. He said higher fuel prices would increase the rental costs of tractors, irrigation pumps and threshing machines.
Md. Manjur Rahman, Deputy Director of the District Department of Agricultural Extension, acknowledged that farmers' production costs could rise due to the diesel price increase. He said the government is providing incentives and other support, while farmers are also being encouraged to use solar-powered irrigation pumps to reduce fuel expenses.
Zainal Abedin Mukul, district coordinator of the Socialist Party (BASD), said higher diesel prices would increase both agricultural production and transportation costs because crops from Naogaon are supplied to different parts of the country.
He called for measures to ensure fair prices for agricultural produce and proposed special fuel subsidies or incentives for the agricultural sector.
Farmers are demanding steps to reduce irrigation and machinery costs before the Boro season begins, saying otherwise they may have to absorb higher fuel expenses alongside already elevated costs for fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and labor.
END/SMA/AJ
