Salt farmers in Banshkhali, Chattogram, have alleged that middlemen and syndicates are preventing them from receiving fair prices for their produce. Despite a bumper harvest this year, many farmers who took high-interest loans are facing heavy losses. They report selling salt at Tk 240–250 per maund while production costs reach about Tk 350, resulting in losses of around Tk 170 per maund. Farmers claim cargo boat owners and intermediaries have formed a syndicate that controls prices and transport routes, leaving them with no alternative sales channels.
At a recent meeting held at the Khatkhali estuary in Gondamara Union, participants demanded fair pricing, interest-free loans, and government measures to curb syndicate control. Speakers said production costs have doubled or tripled due to rising land rent, labor wages, and input prices such as polythene, fuel, and irrigation pumps. While packaged salt sells for Tk 40–45 per kilogram in retail markets, farmers are paid only Tk 5–6 per kilogram, causing severe financial distress.
The meeting called for long-term policies to protect coastal salt and fisheries industries and ensure sustainable livelihoods for producers.
মুহিব্বুল্লাহ ছানুবী, বাঁশখালী (চট্টগ্রাম) প্রকাশ : ১৮ মে ২০২৬, ১২: ৩৭ চট্টগ্রামের বাঁশখালীর লবণচাষিরা মধ্যস্বত্বভোগী ও সিন্ডিকেটের কারণে লবণের ন্যায্যমূল্য না পাওয়ার অভিযোগ উঠেছে। বেশির ভাগ চাষি উচ্চ সুদে ঋণ নিয়ে লবণ উৎপাদনে নামেন। চলতি বছর প্রচুর ল
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