Patuakhali: Farmers of the coastal district are celebrating a successful vegetable yield and favorable market prices during the current season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, many farmers in the region have achieved financial stability through vegetable cultivation, with the bumper yields bringing smiles to the faces of cultivators across the district.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reports that vegetable cultivation has seen an increase in various areas, including Bauphal, Galachipa, Dashmina, Dumki, Mirzaganj, Kalapara, and Rangabali upazilas. This year, farmers have cultivated vegetables such as perennial hybrid brinjal, ladies finger, puishak, patol, gourd, sweet pumpkin, raw banana, papaya, tomato, and carrot on substantial tracts of land. Specifically, vegetables were grown on 180 hectares in Sadar upazila, 250 hectares in Bauphal, 380 hectares in Galachipa, 350 hectares in Kalapara, 165 hectares in Dasmina, 150 hectares in Mirzaganj, 75 hectares in Dumki, and 120 hectares in Rangabali upazila. An additional 107 hectares were dedicated to cultivating raw bananas.
The district produced a total of 30,060 metric tonnes of vegetables this season. Mohiuddin Ahmed, a farmer from Patarpol village in Bauphal upazila, invested Taka 50,000 to cultivate sweet pumpkin, puishak, raw banana, papaya, jhinga, and brinjal on 50 decimals of land. He now expects to earn Taka one lakh from selling his harvest.
Local farmers attribute their success to the guidance and support provided by the DAE. Sweet pumpkins are currently fetching prices between Taka 50-80 for small sizes, Taka 80-120 for medium sizes, and Taka 150-500 for large sizes in various markets. Other vegetables, including raw pumpkins, brinjal, and potatoes, are also selling at profitable rates. Wholesalers are purchasing these vegetables from local markets and distributing them to other parts of the country, including Dhaka.
Bauphal Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Milon explained to BSS that summer vegetable cultivation was slightly reduced this year due to floods and rains. However, the favorable market conditions have boosted farmers’ morale. Additional Director of the DAE Md. Shahadat Hossain highlighted that vegetables were cultivated on 1,670 hectares in the district this year, yielding 30,060 metric tonnes. Seeds and fertilizers were distributed to small and marginal farmers, along with ongoing support and advice from agriculture officers.