Banana trading hampered for lack of market

The absence of a suitable marketplace for trading of bananas is causing problems for the farmers in the district, although banana cultivation has increased over the years.

Growers pile up bananas at different points on both sides of Rangpur-Dhaka highway, mostly in Chandihara area under Shibganj upazila of the district, on Wednesday and Saturday every week.

Smooth movement of vehicles is hampered due to the traffic jam created by crowds of growers, vendors and purchasing agents, and piling up of bananas on the roadside stretching over two to three kilometres.

Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Farid Ahmed said banana cultivation is increasing in 12 upazilas of the district as it is more profitable than other crops like paddy, wheat, jute and vegetables.

Cultivation on 400 hectares of land in summer and 600 hectares in winter was fixed for this year, but over 1,100 hectares of land have been taken under cultivation, he added.

Abdul Wahed, 65, said he cultivated 130 banana trees on 15 decimals of land at a cost of Tk 5,000 and hopes to get at least 100 bunches of banana, which he can sell for around Tk 20,000.

Banana trader Tarek Ali, 45, of Dubaria village, said they buy bananas from the roadside market and send them to Bogra and other districts.

Bachchu Mia, 76, of Chandihara village, said the government tried to set up a separate market for banana trading on three bighas of land a few years ago, but the then union parishad chairman did not cooperate.

Firoz Ahmed Riju said he has leased his land for the temporary market alongside the highway at Chandihara and hoped that a proper marketplace will be set up soon.

Deputy Director (horticulture) of DAE Abdur Rahim agreed that a proper marketplace for bananas is needed.