Farmers fear losses as bitter gourd prices plunge in Joypurhat

Farmers in Khetlal upazila of Joypurhat, already reeling from losses in potato cultivation for three consecutive years, are now facing fresh uncertainty as bitter gourd prices have nearly halved this month.
Many farmers switched to bitter gourd this season hoping to recover their losses from potato farming. 
They initially received Tk2,000–2,100 per maund of as bitter gourd at the farm level, while prices reportedly reached Tk2,200–2,400 at one stage. However, increased supply coupled with persistent rainfall has pushed the price down to Tk1,100–1,200 per maund, leaving farmers worried about recovering their production costs.
During a recent visit to different areas along the Khetlal-Akkelpur regional road, including Bhasila, Kalingar, Kusumshahar, Chaumuhani Bazar, Namazgarh and Amlagari, farmers were seen harvesting bitter gourd and selling it to local wholesalers. Trucks were also being loaded with the produces for shipment to Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Jahangir Islam, a farmer from Atimukul village in Tulsiganga union, cultivated potatoes on five to six bighas of leased land by taking loans from NGOs. After suffering losses for three consecutive years, he left potato farming. This year, Jahangir leased one bigha of land for Tk50,000 to cultivate bitter gourd. “I have already spent around Tk1 lakh on bamboo, strings, pesticides, fertiliser, labour and other inputs. Bitter gourd is now selling for around Tk1,200 per maund. If the price remains at this level, I may lose Tk60,000–70,000,” he said.
“I started bitter gourd farming hoping to recover from my losses in potato cultivation. If I lose money again, I do not know how I will recover,” he added.
Tariqul Islam, a farmer from Chaumuhani Bazar, said many farmers turned to bitter gourd after suffering losses from potatoes in recent years. “Production has been good this season, but the sudden fall in prices has raised fears of losing the invested capital. Farmers will find it difficult to continue cultivation unless they receive fair prices,” he said.
Ali Azam, another farmer from the area, has cultivated bitter gourd on two bighas of land. He said he has spent around Tk1.3 lakh on bamboo, strings, pesticides, fertiliser, labour and mulching. “Bitter gourd is now selling for around Tk1,100 per maund. At this price, it is difficult to recover the production costs,” he said.
Farmers also complained that they receive little effective support at the local level to ensure fair prices for their produce. Wholesalers, however, attributed the price decline to increased supply.
Kamrul Islam, a wholesaler who came from Cumilla to Khetlal to buy bitter gourd, said the produce was selling for Tk2,200–2,400 per maund about two weeks ago.
“Prices in the wholesale market fluctuate mainly according to demand and supply. The increased supply has caused the recent decline,” he said.
Mehedi Hasan, block supervisor of the Upazila Agriculture Office, said more than 150 farmers have cultivated bitter gourd in Khetlal this season. “Although the cultivation target was set at 15 hectares, farmers have cultivated the crop on around 10 hectares. Based on the condition of flowers and fruits, the production target has been estimated at 270 tonnes,” he said.
Favourable weather may push production beyond the target, but farmers could suffer losses of around Tk15–16 lakh if the current market price persists, he added. Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Mallika Rani said bitter gourd has been cultivated on around 10 hectares in the upazila this season. “Vegetable prices mainly fluctuate according to demand and supply. 
The Agriculture Department is monitoring the situation to help farmers receive fair prices. Farmers are also being provided with regular advice,” she said.