In Thakurgaon, the tomato fields are getting destroyed due to intense heat

Thakurgaon Representative: The summer tomato farmers and traders of Thakurgaon have faced severe losses due to the continuous heat wave and intense sun. They are not able to raise the production cost by cultivating tomatoes. And even after buying tomatoes at a low price, traders are unable to sell tomatoes even at the purchase price because most of the tomatoes rot in the intense heat.

Summer tomato cultivation is increasing day by day in this region including Thakurgaon as it is very profitable to grow it every year. They were dreaming of a good profit in tomato cultivation this time as they got a good profit last year. But the long-lasting heat wave has shattered the dreams of tomato farmers for that profit.

Tomato farmer Abdul Malek of Hariorpur village of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila. Last year he made a profit of Tk 65,000 excluding production cost by growing tomatoes on one bigha of land. But this time it is the opposite. Abdul Malek said, this time he spent 70 thousand taka while planting tomatoes on one bigha of land. Tomato got 150 mana. In the last few days, Pratiman has sold these tomatoes in the market at the rate of Tk 350 to Tk 400. He sold tomatoes for 55 thousand rupees. The loss of 15,000 taka by planting tomatoes on one bigha of land is far from profitable. He said, due to continuous intense heat and intense sun, many tomatoes have been destroyed this time.

Thursday is the main tomato market in Thakurgaon. Tomato grower Zikrul Haq said when he came to sell tomatoes last year, the tomatoes he sold at this time last year cost Tk 900. That tomato has to be sold at a reasonable price of Tk 350. Frustrated by the sale of tomatoes, he said, what to do with this loss?

Shafiuddin, a tomato trader from Auliapur, said that the daily demand for tomatoes in this market is 150 trucks (2100 tons). But 300 trucks that is more than 4200 tons have come to the market. Prices have come down due to fewer buyers. He said that the bought tomatoes are rotting due to intense heat. Even after buying, many tomatoes have to be thrown away due to rotting. They have to count the losses.

On Thursday, going to different parts of the Shibganj market, it was seen that the traders had thrown away rotten tomatoes. Some farmers have thrown the tomatoes away from the market because they could not sell them. Rotten tomatoes piled up around the market. 

Sirajul Islam, an agronomist of Thakurgaon Agriculture Extension Department, admitted the loss of tomato farmers in this adverse weather and said that no one has control over nature. And due to increased supply after Eid and due to hot weather, tomato farmers are getting slightly lower prices. However, he expressed hope that the farmers will get better prices if this adverse weather ends.

 

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