Faridpur’s ‘black gold’ onion seeds set for record harvest, worth Tk550cr

Onion seeds, widely regarded as Bangladesh's "black gold," are spreading across Faridpur's fields white this season, signalling a potentially record-breaking harvest. 

Farmers and the local agriculture department estimate production could reach nearly 1,100 tonnes, with a market value of around Tk550 crore. Faridpur has long been a hub for onion seed production, accounting for roughly 70 per cent of the country's total output.

The high quality of the seeds has ensured steady demand from farmers across Bangladesh, underscoring the district's pivotal role in the national agricultural economy.

However, the cultivation process has become more challenging. The decline in bee populations has forced many growers to resort to manual pollination, increasing labour costs significantly.

At the Gobindapur village farm in Ambikapur union, farmhands both men and women can be seen meticulously transferring pollen by hand, a task that demands both patience and precision.

"The rainfall has been low, which actually benefited the seed quality," said Rafiqul, a labourer at the farm. "We earn between Tk 25,000 and 30,000 per month, which helps our families, but the work is exhausting."

For seasoned growers, the effort is worth it. Sahida Begum, a farmer with over a decade of experience in onion seed production, has cultivated nearly 100 acres this season. She expects to harvest around 40 tonnes of seed, which could fetch Tk 5 crore in the market. 

She noted that while seed cultivation is risky and costly, the returns remain lucrative due to high demand for quality seeds.

This year, the total area under onion seed cultivation in Faridpur has slightly exceeded targets. The agriculture department had planned for 1,850 hectares, but nearly 1,865 hectares have been planted, with the highest concentration in Gobindapur village. 

Last year, the average market price of onion seeds was around Tk 5,000 per kilogram, and farmers anticipate a similar rate this season.

Md Hossain, another local seed producer, said, "Seeds from Faridpur are known for their superior quality. Farmers from other regions come here specifically for these seeds. The government should also take measures to stop the import of low-quality seeds from abroad, particularly from India."

The economic implications are significant. Around 30 per cent of the local harvest is expected to meet domestic demand within Faridpur, while the remaining 70 per cent will supply markets nationwide. 

Officials believe that, if realised, the bumper crop could have a meaningful positive impact on the country's agricultural economy.

According to Md Shahaduzzaman, deputy director of the Faridpur District Agriculture Extension Office, favourable weather conditions could push this year's harvest beyond last year's record. "We are providing full support to the farmers from the outset, from technical guidance to seed quality checks," he said.

The Faridpur onion seed fields have also become a point of curiosity for visitors. Raihan, a student from Jahangirnagar University, said he had travelled from Dhaka to witness the "white flowered fields of black gold." The sight, he noted, had left a lasting impression.