Rajshahi, July 31 (V7N) – Business owners in Rajshahi are facing severe losses due to an ongoing curfew. The curfew has hit various sectors hard, especially mango growers and traders, as well as those involved in betel leaf and fish businesses. According to local business leaders, the city is incurring daily losses amounting to hundreds of crores of taka.
 
The curfew has led to a significant drop in market activity, particularly impacting mango farmers and traders in Rajshahi, known as the mango capital of Bangladesh. With the curfew in place, people are reluctant to venture out, leading to a buyer shortage in markets. Additionally, internet outages have hindered online orders, causing mangoes to spoil on trees. If the situation does not improve soon, there are concerns about substantial financial losses.
 
The Rajshahi Agriculture Extension Department reports that mangoes are grown on 19,602 hectares, while betel leaves cover 4,500 hectares this season. The target for mango and betel leaf trade is set at Tk 1,500 crores and Tk 3,000 crores respectively. However, the curfew has disrupted exports, leading to fears of significant losses.
 
Dildar Hossain Mirdha, a mango grower in Bagha, mentioned that due to adverse weather, mango production was already low, making the current high demand and price even more crucial. However, the curfew has led to a lack of buyers, with online sales also stalled due to internet issues, resulting in fruit spoilage.
 
Quail Mia, a wholesale mango trader in Sahab Bazar, said that the peak season for Fazli mangoes usually brings in good business. Yet, due to the curfew, there are no buyers, and online transactions are also not feasible. As a result, business operations have been halted since July 22.
 
Abdur Rakib, a betel leaf farmer in Tahirpur, said that his 20-hectare plantation has been affected. The usual exports have been halted due to the curfew, leading to worries about spoilage.
 
The Rajshahi Agriculture Extension Department's Deputy Director, Umme Salma, noted that while betel leaf losses are minimal, mangoes are suffering due to decreased buyers.
 
Rajshahi's Fish Department reports that fish farming spans approximately 18,750 hectares, with a production target of 110,000 metric tons. However, the curfew has prevented fish exports, causing daily losses of about Tk 10 crores.
 
Alimul Islam, a fish trader from Durgapur, reported that due to the curfew, fish harvesting has ceased for nearly a week, leading to significant losses as daily feeding continues despite no sales.
 
Jahangir Alam, Rajshahi’s District Fish Officer, stated that while fish exports are halted, there is no immediate large-scale damage since fish are still in ponds. Extended curfew conditions could lead to more significant losses.
 
Masudur Rahman Rinku, President of the Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, emphasized the severe impact of the curfew on the mango industry and fish sector, with daily losses reaching hundreds of crores. The major mango markets in Kansat and Baneshwar are now devoid of buyers, while the once-thriving fish trade has come to a standstill.
 
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