Despite a bumper production of maize in six upazilas of Jhenidah the farmers of the areas have been frustrated by drastic fall in prices in the local markets. Montaz Ali, a maize farmer of Voiroba village in Moheshpur upazila, said growers earned good profit from the production of the corn in the past few years, making its cultivation popular among the farmers of the district. Less production cost compared to other crops, favourable weather and easy cultivation process have attracted the farmers to maize cultivation, he added. This year maize farmers saw unusual fall in price of their produce, whose supply has created glut in the market, he added. Islam Biswas, another maize grower, said production cost of maize is Tk 7,000 per bigha and he got 25 maunds from a bigha. Now, in the local markets maize is being sold at Tk 250 to Tk 350 per maund, leaving a farmer with a turnover of only Tk 6,500 from per bigha, he added. He has to incur losses this year. Only three weeks ago, its price was Tk 350 to Tk 450 the prices ranged between Tk 500 and Tk 650 per maund only six to seven weeks ago.  Hares Mandol, anther grower, said he could not sell 110 maunds of maize in the local market since buyers offered only Tk 330 to Tk 350 per maund. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) of Jhenidah, a total of
15,990 hectares (ha) of land were brought under maize cultivation this year in the six upazilas of the district. DAE deputy director of Jhendiah Shah Md Akramul Haque told The Independnet that maize cultivation on a vast tact of sandy lands and the dried-up beds of the rivers and their tributaries in the region brought about a revolutionary change to the poor farmers and unemployed youths. Favourable weather, use of standard HYV seeds like NK-40, PACIFIC-984, BRAC-60, BRAC-984, POLLEN varieties, availability of bank loans, relief from pest attack and adequate rainfall during November and December helped better growth of maize this season. He also said the price of maize is falling because of higher supply in the markets. He expects the farmers to get higher prices after two to three months.  They have to stop selling their produce now and wait for the time, he said further.