Lalmonirhat leads Bangladesh's corn industry: Success amid obstacles
Sabbir Hossain, Hatibandha, (Lalmonirhat)
Lalmonirhat, a district in northern Bangladesh, is now known as the "Corn Capital" of the country.
This year, farmers have planted corn on 25,965 hectares of land, almost reaching their target of 30,500 hectares. The soil near the Teesta and Dharla rivers is perfect for growing corn, giving yields 30% higher than other areas. Farmers like Sushant Kumar Singh are happy as they can now grow 100-140 mounds of corn per acre, earning between 30,000 to 45,000 BDT per bigha after costs.
Corn farming has brought many benefits. Over the last 25 years, more than 50,000 farmers in Lalmonirhat have become self-sufficient. The country now produces 5.5 to 6 million tons of corn annually, reducing the need for imports by 20-30%. This corn is used in poultry feed, bakeries, and animal food, providing stable income for farmers. Many families have bought TVs, fridges, and even sent their children to school with earnings from corn farming.
However, there are challenges too. All corn seeds are imported, costing 50 times more than local seeds. Traders often buy corn at low prices during harvest and sell later at higher rates, leaving farmers with less profit. Poor roads and storage facilities in river areas also increase transportation costs for farmers.
Experts say that if corn farming grows by 10% every year, Bangladesh could become self-sufficient in corn within five years. To achieve this, better policies are needed for seed production, fair prices, and processing facilities. Plans are underway to help farmers directly access markets and improve infrastructure in river areas.
Farmers like Asaduzzaman and Nur Islam dream of prosperity through corn farming. With the right support, Lalmonirhat’s success story can inspire other regions to grow corn, boosting the country’s agricultural economy.
