The traditional paddy market at Elenga, a sub-town of Tangail, has been over crowded in this season. This 35-year-old bazaar at Shamsul Haque College intersection of Elenga Municipality at Kalihati Upazila in Tangail is bustling with sales every day. Due to the recent rains, the sale of Aman rice seedlings is more than other years. Marginal farmers and owners of diesel-powered irrigation pumps are, however, worried due to rising prices of fertilizers and diesel. They demanded subsidy from the government.
According to the information of the Tangail District Agricultural Extension Department, the target of paddy cultivation has been set on 95 thousand 500 hectares of land in the district this year during Aman season. So far 72 thousand 818 hectares of land have been cultivated. Last year, the target of cultivation of saplings in 93 thousand 535 hectares of land was set in the district. Since there is no water in the land, Aman saplings have been planted in most areas with the help of irrigation machines.
According to sources, out of 25 thousand 915 irrigation pumps in the district, 2 thousand 776 have been commissioned this season. Out of 33 thousand 269 diesel powered irrigation pumps, 3 thousand 117 have been commissioned. However, due to the increase in the price of diesel and fertilizers, the cost of Aman cultivation will be much higher this time. Due to this, the owners of diesel powered pumps have demanded the government to provide subsidy.
Visiting there, it is observed there are various varieties of Aman rice seedlings in the market. Farmers are buying seedlings by bargaining. Traders bought saplings who came from various places including Sirajganj, Bogra, Muktagachha, as well as Ghatail, Gopalpur, Bhuyapur, Madhupur and Sakhipur of Tangail. They are selling quality seeds to the farmers coming from different districts according to their demand.They sellto the buyers coming from other districts including nearby Manikganj. HatteBri 34, 49, 52, 71, 72, 74, 75, 87, BR 11, 22, 23, Binadhan 7, 17, 20 and local varieties NazirShail, Paijam, Binashail, Swarna, Kalijira, Ranjit, Gainja, Patjag etc. rice seedlings are available here. In the market, rice seedlings are being bought at the rate of 4-8 taka per fistful and sold at 6-12 taka.
Harun Sikde ahandicapped (lost hand ) of Joynatail village from Dabail-Gohailbari area of Sakhipur upazila said that he has been selling rice seedlings at Elenga Hat for about 20 years. He buys rice seedlings from different highlands according to the season and sells them at the Elenga market. By selling paddy seedlings, he is meeting the needs of the family including higher education of his son and daughter. Many people including Akbar Ali, Abu Sayem, Mohar Ali of Mashajan village of Elenga Municipal Council said that they have been trading rice seedlings for 30 years. Theybuys seedlings from hilly or high areas and sells them in this old haat. If you sell 100 seedlings, you get a profit of 100-300 taka. The market is old and well known. Farmers of low lying areas including the southern part of Tangail buy paddy seedlings from here too. Abdul Quader of Ichapur village of Kalihati's Bangra Union said that if he planted saplings in his low land, it was destroyed by a short rain. He gained more benefit by buying paddy seedlings from Elenga Hat for cultivating his own lands. This time he bought 150 bundles of golden rice seedlings for 975 taka.
Raju Ahmed, the toll collector of the see market on behalf of the municipality, said that the transportation system at Elenga is better. So buyers and sellers from far and wide come to this renowned market. Typically, tk. 40-50 is charged for tk.1000. If anyonebuy less saplings, the toll is given free for him many times.
Abdul Majeed, Agriculture Officer of Kalihati Upazila said that the Elenga seed market is very old and one of the district's leading market. Some people produce seeds only for sale. Many people meet their own needs and sell the extra seeds in the market. Farmers who cannot produce seeds or fear the seeds to destroy due to natural calamities are the regular buyers of this market.
He sometimes goes to the market and examines the seedlings with his bare eyes. He does this out of duty but of conscience.
Ahsanul Bashar, Deputy Director of Tangail District Agricultural Extension Department, said that due to the increase in the price of fertilizers, the production cost of farmers will normally increase. There is government subsidy tothe electric irrigation pumps. If diesel-powered irrigation pump owners are also being subsidized then the price hike in the agriculture sector will not be affected and the farmers can bear the added cost.
He also said that the effect of increase in diesel prices will not be much in the Aman season, but will be in the next Boro season. Because then agriculture is completely dependent on irrigation.