Incomplete storage sheds force onion farmers to sell at losses

Using low-cost, locally sourced materials, the authorities began the construction of 300 model onion storage sheds in November last year in five major onion-producing districts. The target was to complete the sheds by March, enabling farmers to preserve their harvest for months and reduce post-harvest losses.

But with many sheds still incomplete, farmers who harvested their major onion variety in April are now facing trouble storing their produce.

Helal Uddin, director of the government's project to modernise onion and garlic storage and marketing, blamed the delay on slow fund disbursement.

Meanwhile, farmers in Rajshahi, Pabna, Kushtia, Rajbari and Faridpur said the missed deadline left them with no choice but to sell their onions at rock-bottom prices. Many had not arranged alternative storage this season, having pinned their hopes on the promised facilities being ready in time.

"We were excited when we were told the sheds would be ready by 30 March. I harvested a large amount of onions with hopes of storing them and selling at a better price later," said Zahurul Haque, a farmer at Khoar village in Saltha upazila of Faridpur.

"But now I am being forced to sell at those throwaway prices," he added.

Of the 300 sheds, 90 were allocated for Saltha and Boalmari upazilas of Faridpur this year. But progress has been patchy.

Kamal Khan, another farmer of Saltha upazila, said only the floor of his shed had been completed. "I couldn't store my onions as planned."

Shakhawat Hossain, a farmer of Kazipara village in Jadunandi union of the same upazila, said the contractor has now promised to finish work by the end of May. But given the slow pace, he was doubtful.

Some 90 farmers from Saltha and Boalmari were selected for the project in fiscal year (FY) 2024–25. Each was to receive one storage shed, built on a one-decimal plot of their own land, according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM).

Each shed covers 375 square feet, measuring 25 feet by 15 feet. Equipped with six exhaust fans and a hygrometer to monitor temperature and humidity, the units are designed to preserve 350 to 400 maunds of onions for six to nine months.

Built at a cost of Tk 5.9 lakh each, the sheds use affordable, locally available materials such as bamboo, wood, corrugated sheets, RCC pillars and ebonite.

But in many areas, farmers were left to fend for themselves.

Md Enamul Haque, a farmer of Habaspur village in Rajbari's Pangsha upazila, harvested around 250 maunds of onions this year. Although he was allotted a model shed, it was not ready in time.

With no place to store the produce, Enamul spent Tk 8,000 to convert part of his home into a makeshift storage space.

Another farmer, Md Asaduzzaman of Bosakustia village in the same upazila, said only the pillars of his shed had been erected so far. "We were assured that we could use the model house this onion season. But with the work incomplete, I had to sell off nearly half of my harvest," he said.

In Rajbari district, construction of 50 sheds began in January, with an April deadline. But according to Project Director Helal Uddin, only 13 have been completed so far, while the rest are under construction.

Some farmers, however, have had better luck. Subroto Pal of Thakurpur village in Boalmari said he expects his shed to be finished within days.

Meanwhile, Rezaul Sheikh of Kaniar village in Gatti union has already begun using his shed, having stored onions there a month ago.

Md Zakir Hossain, a contractor involved in the project, also blamed the delays on late fund releases from the ministry.

DAM field officer Shahjahan Ali said that the demand for the sheds in Saltha was more than the supply. "There is overwhelming demand for these sheds here."

Project officials say the model sheds can effectively cut down on post-harvest losses, which account for nearly 30 percent of total onion production.

"Though the deadline was 30 March, delays in fund allocation hampered progress. We hope to complete all sheds within this month," said Project Director Helal Uddin.

In FY24, some 65 sheds were built—30 in Saltha and 35 in Nagarkanda.

Amzad Hossain, a beneficiary of the project at Jhunkhali village in Gatti union, said, "I stored 140 maunds of onions in my shed. Only five maunds went bad. The rest remained in excellent condition."