Brahmanbaria:Farmers in Brahmanbaria are experiencing a lucrative season as the trade of winter vegetable seedlings booms. These farmers are earning substantial incomes from the production of these seedlings, which are in high demand ahead of the winter cropping season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has noted that local farmers are producing seedlings of various vegetables in their own seedbeds. The district anticipates sales of winter vegetable seedlings worth around Taka one crore this season. Farmers have expressed satisfaction with the quality and growth of the seedlings this year.
The seedlings are purchased directly from the seedbeds by other farmers who then transplant them into their fields for commercial cultivation. Extensive seedbeds in Behair village under Sadar upazila are producing seedlings of various winter vegetables, with the seasonal activity spanning from Bhadra to Magh (roughly mid-August to mid-February). This activity is helping farmers enhance their financial conditions while meeting the growing demand for vegetables.
Ahead of the winter season, approximately 40 hectares of land in Sadar upazila have been used to raise seedlings of different improved varieties of cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, tomato, eggplant, bottle gourd, and chili. Farmers from various parts of the country, as well as local farmers, are flocking to Brahmanbaria to purchase these high-quality seedlings for cultivation due to their good quality and high yield potential.
The prices of seedlings vary based on the vegetable variety. Farmers have reported that a thousand tomato seedlings sell for Taka 1,800 to Taka 2,000, cauliflower seedlings for Taka 2,000 to Taka 2,500, and chili seedlings for Taka 2,500 to Taka 3,000. Eggplant and cabbage seedlings are priced at Taka 1,500 to Taka 2,000, while a thousand bottle gourd seedlings sell for Taka 20,000, and broccoli seedlings cost Taka 2,500 to Taka 3,000 per thousand.
Seedling producer Wasim Mia expressed optimism about the prices this year, citing favorable weather and good seedling quality. Buyers like farmer Abdul Latif have also shown satisfaction with the seedlings, noting that they yield well when raised in seedbeds and transplanted traditionally.
Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Hajera Begum stated that transactions involving seedlings worth more than Taka one crore occur in the area every season. The agriculture department is actively providing advice to farmers to expand seedling production and enhance their skills, along with offering support through loans.