Mango sellers held hostage in 'Dholon System' in Rajshahi, administration helpless
Rakibul Hasan Rocky (Puthia), Rajshahi
The largest mango market in Rajshahi district is located at Baneshwar Bazaar in Puthia Upazila.
Wholesalers buy mangoes from this market and supply them to various depots. Around a hundred traders operate in these depots. For a long time, these traders have formed a syndicate that exploits local mango growers and sellers. This group has been deceiving the farmers for several years under the guise of the "Dholon" and "Shola" systems. Despite multiple attempts at resolution, even the administration has failed to curb this syndicate's influence.
The Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi have issued directives to abolish the “Dholon” system and conduct mango trading based on weight (kg). Although the official instruction mandates purchases per maund at 40 kg, traders continue to flout this by buying at 50–52 kg per maund, disregarding both district and upazila administrations. As a result, sellers are being forced to give away 10 to 12 kg extra mangoes per maund as “Dholon.”
A visit to Baneshwar market over the past few days revealed that most buyers were local middlemen and warehouse owners. Only a handful of traders had arrived from other districts. They were purchasing mangoes through both maund-based and contractual agreements. On average, buyers were taking 50–52 kg of mangoes per maund, meaning the sellers had to give away 10–12 kg extra as “Dholon.” Mango growers said they are practically hostage to these market traders, who exploit them however they want. Despite the District Commissioner’s order to purchase by kilogram, the directive has brought no visible benefit.
Traders argue that since mangoes are perishable, “Dholon” is necessary. They claim that after buying from farmers, some mangoes rot, are defective, are too small, or lose weight as they ripen—hence, the justification for “Dholon.”
In this regard, Puthia UNO A.K.M. Nur Hossain Nirzhar said, “No one has filed any complaint about excessive ‘Dholon.’ We regularly monitor Baneshwar market. If any complaint is received, we will certainly take appropriate action.”
