Tulip farming could be a blessing to Gazipur

As potato prices in Bangladesh surge past the government-set maximum retail price of Tk 36 per kg, the government is contemplating potato imports to stabilize the market. Despite the government's intervention, Dhaka city witnesses prices ranging from Tk 48 to Tk 55 per kg, while production hubs still remain Tk 5-10 above the designated rate.

In the first two months of the 2023-24 fiscal year in Bangladesh, agricultural loans have seen a significant surge, with disbursements rising by 38.33% to BDT 5,308 crore, compared to BDT 3,837 crore during the same period last fiscal year. Concurrently, repayments have also escalated by 27.34% to BDT 5,250 crore, up from BDT 4,123 crore.

Hilsa fish prices have surged, making it unaffordable for low-income groups, with prices rising by Tk 150-300 per kg in major city markets due the start of its exports and an announcement of a fishing ban from October 12,2023. A 450-600 gram fish now trades at Tk 30,000-32,000 per maund (40 kg) at Mawa wholesale, up from Tk 24,000 a week ago.

Seaweed farming in Bangladesh's maritime areas holds significant economic potential, according to speakers at a workshop hosted by USAID's Enhanced Coastal Fisheries in Bangladesh (ECOFISH II) of World Fish Bangladesh. They emphasized that seaweed can supply raw materials for the pharmaceutical and livestock feed industries, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to greenhouse gas reduction.

In an effort to promote Rabi crop cultivation, a total of 44,270 small and marginal farmers across eight upazilas in the district Jashore are set to receive free seeds and fertilizers. These incentives are part of an agricultural incentive and rehabilitation program for the Kharif season. Wheat farmers will receive 20 kg of wheat seed, 10 kg of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer, and 10 kg of muriate of potash (MOP) fertilizer.

The Food Ministry has outlined its procurement targets for the Boro season in 2023, aiming to acquire 18 lakh tons of paddy and rice from farmers at specific prices. They will purchase paddy at Tk27 per kg and boiled rice at Tk40 per kg, maintaining the same rates as in 2021.