Suzit Kumar Das

Onion prices have been increasing over the past weeks, as farmers and traders release fewer stocks to local markets in the hope of better returns amid the government’s suspension of imports.

Onion prices have been increasing over the past weeks, as farmers and traders release fewer stocks to local markets in the hope of better returns amid the government’s suspension of imports

Both the acreage and production of lentils have been declining over the years, according to official data, as farmers cite a combination of factors, including lower profitability, frequent crop diseases and unfavourable weather.

Onion farmers, who saw high profits last year, are now struggling due to a sharp drop in prices at the peak of the harvesting season.

Prices of raw jute, once dubbed the “golden fibre” of Bangladesh, have increased by nearly 19 percent year-on-year as demand has outpaced supply following the government’s ban on polythene bags.

Raw jute production in Bangladesh has declined by nearly 10 percent year-on-year, mainly due to punishing heat during the planting period in March and April.

According to the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), local varieties of onions were being sold for Tk 105 to Tk 115 per kg yesterday compared to Tk 95 to Tk 100 per kg a week ago.

Kaniz Fatema, 31, a homemaker from Pierpur village in Faridpur, earns Tk 40,000-45,000 per month by producing vermicompost, allowing her to become self-reliant and create job opportunities for others.