Rajshahi: Fruit mixed farming, an agricultural practice that combines fruit cultivation with other crops and vegetables, is gaining popularity and profitability in Rajshahi. This method, which includes intercropping and high-density planting, is designed to increase income and land efficiency.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, key aspects of this agricultural innovation include the cultivation of a variety of mangoes, citrus fruits like malta and lemon, and newer crops such as dragon fruit. Modern techniques, such as drip irrigation and canopy management, are employed to enhance productivity and resource efficiency. Farmers are increasingly planting different fruit varieties alongside other crops on the same piece of land to boost income from the same area.
The fruit-vegetable combined farming method is revitalizing the local economy, particularly in the Barind tract, by opening new avenues in agriculture. Many farmers have adopted this modern method, leading to additional income from the same land in a shorter time, benefiting both traders and consumers.
A diverse range of fruits and vegetables, including guava, lemon, cucumber, brinjal, papaya, radish, bean, cauliflower, cabbage, red spinach, chili, pointed gourd, white gourd, and balsam apple, are being intercropped with orange, malta, and dragon fruit. Jamal Hossain, a resident of Charghat Upazila, noted the increasing interest among farmers in intercropping mango with cereal crops like paddy, as it offers additional income without affecting mango yield and quality.
Intercropping not only elevates total crop production but also enhances soil health and fertility, creating extra job opportunities essential for intensive crop production. Hossain mentioned that farmers, impacted by climate change, are turning to intercropping with mangoes to offset losses from traditional paddy cultivation.
Engineer Sarwar Jahan, an agriculture entrepreneur from Huzripara village, has successfully cultivated a malta orchard alongside early winter vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and green chili on nine bighas of land. He reported lucrative sales from these crops, with plans to introduce pumpkin and cucumber after the current harvest.
Mofakkar Hossain, a madrasa teacher, has also found success with cauliflower and cabbage on his dragon orchard in Puthiyapara village. His commercial farming venture has led to significant economic improvement.
Dr. Azizur Rahman, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, noted the growing interest in mixed farming, with vegetables now cultivated on about 6,500 hectares in the region. This method is gaining momentum, particularly as farmers seek alternatives to paddy due to climate challenges, further developing new mango orchards with these innovative techniques.