Chilli growers in Rangpur cash in on higher prices

Favourable weather conditions for chilli farming and increased market demand have boosted earnings for farmers in the Rangpur region this season. 

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), chillies have been cultivated on a total of 4,320 hectares across five districts of the Rangpur region -- Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Nilphamari -- during the current season. 

Last year, chilli cultivation in the region covered 4,670 hectares. Although the cultivated area has decreased, farmers’ incomes have risen due to higher yields and better market prices.

Farmers said the average cost of cultivating chillies per bigha ranges between Tk 35,000 and Tk 40,000. Each bigha produces around 60 to 70 maunds of chillies. At this time last year, chillies were sold at Tk 35 to Tk 40 per kg. This year, however, prices have increased to Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg. 

In retail markets, chillies are selling at Tk 100 to Tk 110 per kg.

Afzal Hossain, 58, a chilli farmer from Gajerkuti village in Kurigram, said he cultivated chillies on one bigha of land, spending around Tk 38,000. He has already harvested and sold 20 maunds, earning Tk 60,000. He is currently harvesting and selling 40 to 50kgs of chillies from his field every day.

Anil Chandra Barman, 65, a farmer from Bhatibari village under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said he expects to make a profit of Tk 2.5 lakh by cultivating chillies on two bighas of land. He has already sold chillies worth Tk 1.5 lakh.

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Majedul Islam, 50, from Chowdhurani village in Rangpur, said he earned Tk 1.5 lakh last year by cultivating chillies on five bighas of land. This year, he hopes to make a profit of Tk 4 lakh from the same area.

Shah Jamal, a vegetable wholesaler at Rangpur municipal market, said last year, chillies had to be brought in from other regions. But this year, due to lower production in other parts of the country, chillies are being sent from the Rangpur region. As a result, local farmers are receiving double the price.

Sirajul Islam, additional director of the DAE (Rangpur), said chilli cultivation has been particularly high in the char areas along the Teesta, Dharla, Brahmaputra and Dudhkumar rivers. 

Due to higher demand in local markets, farmers are receiving better prices compared to last year, he said.