Panchagarh, Oct 25 (V7N)- Farmers in Panchagarh are struggling to recover their production costs despite a good harvest of gourds, with each piece selling for just Tk 2–3 at the farm gate while consumers in Dhaka pay as much as Tk 50–60.
The sharp price gap has left growers facing heavy losses, with some reportedly cutting gourds from their fields and discarding them because selling the produce no longer covers labour and transportation costs.
Gourds are growing abundantly across fields in the northern border district, but farmers in Atwari upazila have been among those hardest hit by the price slump. Medium-sized gourds are selling for around Tk 2 each, while larger or better-quality ones fetch about Tk 3. The same produce can cost Tk 20–25 in nearby markets.
One farmer said the farm-gate price was far too low, forcing growers to sell each gourd for only Tk 2–3.
Another farmer said he had spent around Tk 50,000 cultivating gourds on one bigha of land but had earned only Tk 15,000 from sales so far, leaving him facing a substantial loss.
A grower said cultivating paddy on the same land could have generated at least Tk 10,000 in earnings, while another reported that he had been forced to discard gourds because buyers were unwilling to purchase them.
The price difference widens as the produce moves through the supply chain. Wholesalers and intermediaries buy gourds from farmers at low prices before they pass through several hands and reach local markets and retail shops. A gourd sold for around Tk 2.50 in the field can cost Tk 15–20 in local markets, with prices rising to Tk 50–60 in Dhaka.
Consumers have also expressed frustration over the high retail prices. One buyer said each gourd cost Tk 20–25 at local shops, while another questioned why farmers received so little when consumers had to pay several times more.
Retailers, however, attributed the increase to transportation expenses and the costs incurred as produce changes hands. One seller said these expenses pushed the price of a gourd to around Tk 20, while another said making a profit had become difficult even after purchasing the vegetables at low prices.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, gourds are cultivated on an average of 500–600 hectares of land in Panchagarh each year. Despite the good harvest, farmers continue to face difficulties securing fair prices.
Abdul Matin, deputy director of the district’s Department of Agricultural Extension, said farmers could obtain better prices by selling their produce directly in the market. He noted that many growers had cultivated gourds at the same time, resulting in a simultaneous influx of vegetables into the market. He expressed hope that prices would improve as supply declined in the coming days.
Panchagarh Agricultural Marketing Officer Mualena Khanam said a shortage of manpower and logistical support had limited the office’s ability to provide the necessary assistance to farmers. She said efforts were underway to address the constraints.
Farmers have called for more effective market monitoring and direct marketing arrangements to reduce the gap between farm-gate and retail prices. They say better market management is needed both to ensure fair returns for growers and to keep vegetables affordable for consumers.
END/SMA/AJ
