Lalmonirhat mint farmers hit hard by blockade

Good yield of mint in the district this season fails to make farmers happy as they are facing problem to market the aromatic plant amid the countrywide non-stop blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Mint growers at Fulgachh, Karnapur and Etapota villages of Mogholhat union in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila said their earning from the item decreased this year as they are selling it in the local market for low prices.

There are hardly any buyers from capital Dhaka and other places of the country amid the non-stop blockade, they said.

A farmer can get at least 10 kg of mint from a decimal of land, said agriculture officials.

"I have cultivated mint on four decimals of land this year. I harvested 14 kg of mint in last three weeks and earned only Tk 3,000 from selling it in the local market. The price was much higher last year as buyers from capital Dhaka and other places came here," said Ruhul Amin, 47, of Karnapur village.

People purchase mint for high prices as the aromatic herb helps to cure different diseases, especially of pregnant women, he said. 

But the prices have fallen this season due to marketing problem, he added.

Mint grower Rabi Kanta Barmon of the same village said, he spent only Tk 500 for cultivating mint on five decimals of land.

However, the item requires regular care and so, his wife and two sons are also engaged in the work with him.

Mohammad Nuruzzaman, Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila agriculture officer, said, "Farmers got bumper yield of mint this year due to favorable weather and good seeds. Besides, we provided necessary suggestions to mint growers at different villages."

"But growers are frustrated due to its low prices in the local market. Arrangement of its marketing in the capital and other places of the country would encourage more farmers in the district to cultivate mint."