Rajshahi farmers boost onion cultivation, favoring water-saving crops amid high demand and better prices. Photo : BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Nov 23, 2025 (BSS)- Rajshahi division is projected to produce 14.73 lakh tonnes of onions from approximately 88,323 hectares across its eight districts during the ongoing Rabi season.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set a target of producing around 7.21 lakh tonnes of the cash crop from 39,620 hectares in four districts of the Rajshahi Agricultural Zone, while 7.52 lakh tonnes are expected from 48,703 hectares in four other districts of the Bogra Zone.

The DAE has already stepped up measures to boost onion production by encouraging general farmers to help mitigate the crisis of this staple crop.

Farmers usually grow onions to earn higher prices, as consumers are willing to pay more for early and freshly harvested vegetables than for crops available during the peak season.

Dr Azizur Rahman, Additional Director of DAE, said grassroots farmers are being provided with guidance and modern knowledge to achieve good yields through proper management of fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides.

At the same time, farmers are showing increasing interest in onion cultivation alongside paddy, wheat, maize, and winter vegetables due to the high demand and relatively better market prices for the spice crop.

Rezaul Karim, 53, a farmer of Krishnapur village under Tanore Upazila, said he has prepared to cultivate onions on 10 decimals of land after harvesting Aman paddy this season.

He added that there is a bright prospect for expanding onion farming in the Barind region, as farmers are eager to grow a crop that requires less water.

Habibur Rahman, a farmer of Mushribhuja village under Volahat Upazila, said he is pleased to cultivate water-saving crops like onions.

"I faced many difficulties managing irrigation water for Boro cultivation," he said. "But cultivating less-water-intensive crops is suitable for farmers in this area."

Ishrafil Haque, a volunteer from Nizampur village under Nachole Upazila, noted that the cultivation of water-saving crops is increasing in the region every year.

Abdul Malek, 56, a farmer of Bagdhani village under Paba Upazila, said he plans to cultivate onions on three bighas of land this year, up from one bigha last year, after earning good prices for his crops in recent months.

Abir Hossain, another farmer from Nandangachhi village under Charghat Upazila, said he cultivated onions on one and a half bigha of land last season and benefited significantly from good yields and prices. "I'm preparing to expand to two bighas this year," he said.

He added that many farmers have profited from the brisk business of seed-onion during the current season.

In Rajshahi, the Tahirpur variety of onion is particularly popular, as most farmers have been cultivating it for many years.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Mannan said onion cultivation could expand to more land this year compared to the previous season.

Various government and non-government organizations, including the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), have been conducting motivational programs to promote water-saving crops in the drought-prone Barind area.

Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan of the Department of Geology and Mining at Rajshahi University said promoting less-water-consuming crops in the Barind area is a positive step toward reducing the growing pressure on underground water resources.