Despite achieving a bumper production of ginger in the district this season, farmers are being deprived of getting fair prices for their product.

Agricultural Extension Department (DAE) sources said the bumper production was achieved due to favourable weather and timely distribution of ginger seeds.

DAE sources said a total of 1,450 hectares of land was brought under ginger farming in the district in the current season.

But, growers allege that they are being forced to sell their products to wealthy locals at bargain prices due to a lack of marketing facilities and excess transport cost.

Moreover, the traders this year did not come to the farmers to purchase ginger from them because of recent political turmoil.

Ginger cultivators of Darjeeling Para of Ruma upazila said that they could not take their products to the upazila headquarters and the district town for sale due to high transport costs.

Lal Run Bom of Ruma upazila told UNB that previous year he sold one maund (approximately 37.32 kilograms)of ginger for Tk 900 (US$12.94) but this year was only able to charge Tk 400.

DAE sources said 15-20 maunds of ginger could be produced on per hectare here as the soil of the hilly areas is suitable for cultivating the spice.

Ginger is planted on the land after rain in the Bengali month 'Baishakh' (April - May) and the spice is collected in 'Poush' (December-January) and 'Magh' (January-February).

Local cultivators are also struggling to preserve the spice as there is no cold storage in the district. Currently they are storing it underground, a traditional method of storage.

DAE sources said, ginger seeds have been distributed between local farmers free of cost for the last two years through district administration to help improve the socio-economic development of people of the hilly areas.

Ginger seeds were also distributed under financial assistance of UNDP.