Chuadanga: Farmers in all four upazilas of Chuadanga district are passing busy days cultivating winter vegetables. Various local winter vegetables have already started appearing in the market.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chuadanga is placing significant emphasis on the production of safe vegetables. This Rabi season, the target has been set to cultivate vegetables on 8,640 hectares of land across the district.
Discussions with several farmers revealed their growing interest in vegetable cultivation due to its quick profitability and consistent cash income. Currently, winter vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, tomato, potato, carrot, cucumber, beans, spinach, broccoli, radish, bottle gourd, and chili are being harvested in the district.
Although Chuadanga typically experiences good yields of winter vegetables, an ongoing fertilizer shortage is causing concern among farmers. They worry that production might not meet expectations unless the fertilizer supply is sufficient.
Agricultural department officials assure that the current fertilizer stock is adequate to meet targets, provided it is applied properly. They advise against overusing fertilizers and emphasize proper crop care. DAE sources indicate that Chuadanga holds 3,788 metric tons of Urea, 219 metric tons of TSP, 605 metric tons of DAP, and 1,258 metric tons of MOP in stock.
Alongside winter vegetables, other crops are being cultivated during this Rabi season. The targets include 932 hectares for wheat, 47,755 hectares for maize, and 2,020 hectares for potatoes. So far, maize has been cultivated on 1,200 hectares, potatoes on 30 hectares, and vegetables on 710 hectares, with the remaining land to be cultivated gradually. Due to losses from maize and potato farming last year, farmers have shifted more toward vegetable cultivation.
Additionally, cultivation targets are set for chickpeas on 6 hectares, grass peas on 24 hectares, sugarcane on 1,144 hectares, onion on 1,535 hectares, lentil on 293 hectares, peas on 47 hectares, mustard on 3,715 hectares, sunflower on 4 hectares, garlic on 305 hectares, chili on 857 hectares, coriander on 473 hectares, flowers on 59 hectares, betel leaf on 1,264 hectares, and tobacco on 310 hectares.
Local farmer Shahjahan from Dhutarhat village expressed concern about fertilizer availability. He has planted various vegetables and noted, 'If fertilizers are insufficient, the yield won't be good. Winter vegetables require a lot of chemical fertilizer.'
Another farmer, Kador Ali, highlighted issues with fertilizer pricing and availability, stating, 'Locally produced TSP and DAP are almost unavailable in the market, and prices are high.'
Chuadanga Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Anisur Rahman emphasized the need for balanced fertilizer use, while DAE Deputy Director Md. Masudur Rahman Sarkar confirmed adequate fertilizer stock and stressed the importance of applying fertilizers in the right amounts for improved yields and soil health.