Early murikata onion farming begins in Rajbari, third in the country for onions, with free seed and fertiliser planned

Photo: Collected

The agriculture department has taken various steps to boost onion production in the country to reduce import dependence and meet the shortfall. In line with this, special emphasis is being placed this time on expanding cultivation and raising yields in Rajbari, which ranks third in the country in onion production.

This season, a target has been set to cultivate hali, murikata and kadam onions on a combined 40,932 hectares of land in the district’s five upazilas. Initiatives have also been taken to provide free seed, fertiliser and incentives to encourage farmers. Hali onion cultivation will begin next February-March, but early murikata onion cultivation has already started in various areas.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension, onions were cultivated on 40,932 hectares in the district last year. This time too, the target is to cultivate the same amount of land in Rajbari Sadar, Goalanda, Pangsha, Kalukhali and Baliakandi upazilas. Of this, the target for hali onions is 34,778 hectares, murikata 6,013 hectares and kadam onions 141 hectares.

So far, murikata onions have been planted on 1,933 hectares in the five upazilas: 911 hectares in Goalanda, 750 hectares in Kalukhali, 150 hectares in Baliakandi, 80 hectares in Pangsha and 42 hectares in Rajbari Sadar. Goalanda and Kalukhali are ahead in early onions.

Habil Mondal, a farmer from the Ujanchar area of Goalanda upazila, told BSS, ‘Onion is one of the main cash crops of our area. Many farmers meet their household expenses by growing this crop. But production costs, including seed, fertiliser, pesticides and labourers’ wages, are rising day by day. If we get the necessary farm inputs and government support on time, we will be able to grow onions on more land. I think farmers will be more encouraged to grow onions if a fair price for the produce can be ensured.’

Golam Mostafa, a farmer from Nayansukh village of Barat union in Rajbari Sadar upazila, said, ‘To get a good onion yield, timely land preparation, use of quality seed and proper care are essential. A good yield is possible if the weather is favourable and diseases can be kept under control. But farmers suffer losses when market prices are not in line with production costs. Farmers will benefit more if farm inputs are supplied on easy terms and arrangements are made for storing onions.’

As one of the country’s leading onion-producing districts, the crop plays a major role in Rajbari’s farm economy. If cultivation meets the target, it will create an opportunity for the district to hold on to and further strengthen its position in production. However, it is also essential to reduce production costs, ensure fair prices and expand opportunities for onion storage and marketing.

Agricultural Marketing Officer Naim Ahmed told BSS that to keep the onion market stable, regular supply must be ensured throughout the year alongside higher production. Prices can rise if production falls, if there are problems with storage or transport, or if supply shortages arise in the market. So, alongside early murikata cultivation and production, emphasis is needed on ensuring timely cultivation of hali onions.

Md Enamul Haque, deputy director of the Rajbari district Department of Agricultural Extension, told BSS that field-level work has been stepped up to motivate farmers to grow onions, and the necessary advice is being given to increase cultivation. He hopes production will gain further momentum if the free seed, fertiliser and incentive initiative is implemented.

With early murikata onion cultivation under way, initial progress this season is visible. The overall production picture will become clearer once hali onion cultivation begins in February-March. According to those concerned, if farmers get the support they need, cultivation is done on time and the weather is favourable, the chances of meeting the target and keeping onion supply in the market normal will improve.

District angle

According to a bdnews24.com report of 25 June, Md Shahidul Islam, then deputy director of the Rajbari Department of Agricultural Extension, said the district had a bumper onion harvest that year, exceeding the target; at the time, 375,000 tonnes of onions were still stocked in farmers’ homes and farmers were frustrated by low prices.

Sources

Original report: BSS

Background sources: bdnews24.com, 25 June 2026