What's Happening?
Bangladesh faces recurring onion price fluctuations due to the absence of commercial-scale food irradiation facilities. Despite the Ministry of Agriculture's plans, a dedicated irradiation center has not
been established, leading to significant post-harvest losses. Each winter, a surplus of onions causes prices to plummet, forcing farmers to sell at a loss. Later, shortages drive prices up, impacting low-income consumers. The Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture is developing an irradiation center in Gazipur, supported by international partners, to address these issues. However, delays persist due to regulatory requirements. Currently, limited irradiation capacity exists, primarily for pharmaceuticals, leaving agricultural products like onions at a disadvantage.
Why It's Important?
The lack of food irradiation infrastructure in Bangladesh has significant economic and social implications. Farmers face income losses due to the inability to preserve crops, leading to distress sales and market gluts. This situation also affects the country's foreign currency reserves as it struggles to meet international food safety standards, impacting exports. The absence of proper preservation facilities exacerbates food security issues, particularly for politically sensitive commodities like onions. Establishing irradiation facilities could stabilize prices, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance Bangladesh's competitiveness in the global market.
