Garlic farmers of Chatmoharupazila of Pabna district are having a busy time. According to the Chatmohar Agricultural Office, the cultivation target for this season is set at 3,550 hectares. So far, garlic seeds have been planted on 850 hectares of land.
It was known that in the past, farmers received good prices for garlic, and the garlic of the ChalanBeel region earned the reputation of white gold. Garlic cultivation gradually increased, bringing significant economic benefits to the farmers. However, due to consistent losses in later years, farmers reduced garlic farming. Recently, with a substantial rise in garlic prices, they are once again turning to garlic cultivation.
Farmer Shahadat Hossain from Chinabhatkur village said that cultivating garlic on one bigha of land costs about 65,000 taka, including expenses for seeds, labor, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, weeding, and harvesting. If the yield is good, farmers can expect a harvest of 30 to 35 maunds per bigha. Currently, seed garlic is being sold at 10,000 taka per maund in the local markets.
Another farmer, Mozammel Hossain, from Binyabari village, said farmers can make a profit when the prices are good. However, in some years, prices drop so much that farmers face significant losses.
Garlic farming has become like gambling. Sometimes there are high profits, while other times farmers face substantial losses, he added.
At the same time, the harvesting of Aman paddy and the start of mustard cultivation led to an acute labor shortage. While the demand for female workers increased, they were being paid half the wages of male workers. Female laborers expressed their frustration over this wage disparity.
In the fields, both male and female workers were seen busy from morning until evening. Even poor students are taking part in garlic planting to cover their school and college fees, pocket money, and private tuition expenses.
Female workers expressed their frustration that their wages are lower than those of male workers, which is why employers tend to prioritize male laborers.
ChatmoharUpazila Agricultural Officer Jasim Uddin said that the wages for female workers are relatively lower compared to their male counterparts.
He also mentioned that in some year garlic prices are high, while other years they are quite low. However, this season, garlic cultivation may surpass the set target.
