Farmers in Sirajganj are finding new opportunities by cultivating ginger in bags, a method that requires little space, reduces costs and offers good returns compared with traditional crops.
Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, a farmer from Dhitpur Alal village in Bahuli Union of Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, has cultivated BARI Ginger-2 on 600 bags across 10 decimals of land.
Although he did not receive the expected profit last year, Shahadat is hopeful of better returns this season due to a good harvest and favourable market prices.
“Following advice from the upazila agriculture office, I started growing ginger in bags. It does not require separate farmland, costs less and the bags can be moved easily. Disease attacks are also lower,” he said.
He added that ginger cultivation provides better income than rice farming.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, ginger can be easily grown in cement or plastic bags in shaded areas. Soil mixed with decomposed cow dung, fertiliser, ash and sawdust is kept prepared for 15 to 20 days before planting.
Ginger rhizomes weighing 40 to 50 grams are then planted in each bag. With regular care, the crop can be harvested within nine to 10 months, producing around 1 to 2 kilograms of ginger per bag.
Sirajganj Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer SM Nasim Hossain said the agriculture department was providing farmers with technical advice and support to encourage modern ginger cultivation.
“In the 2025-26 fiscal year, ginger has been cultivated on 40 hectares of land in the upazila. Besides, 13,600 bags are being used for ginger cultivation, with another 10,000 bags cultivated privately,” he said.
He added that ginger cultivation has expanded across all 10 unions of the upazila.
Sirajganj Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director AKM Monjure Maula said the district has set a target to produce 2,363 tonnes of ginger from 172 hectares of land and 12,300 tonnes from 61,200 bags during the Kharif-1 season of the 2026-27 fiscal year.
“Bag cultivation has increased compared with last year as farmers are becoming more interested in the method due to its profitability,” he said.
Agriculture officials said bag-grown ginger has strong potential because of its low land requirement, limited costs and easier management. With government support, improved technology and proper market management, the method could help meet domestic demand and create opportunities for future exports.
Farmers said growing ginger in bags alongside traditional crops has created an additional source of income, encouraging more people to adopt the method.
