Farmers across five upazilas of Madaripur are busy cultivating winter vegetables as the Department of Agricultural Extension gives priority to producing safe and quality crops.
In the current season, the district has set a target to cultivate winter vegetables on 4,210 hectares of land. Vegetables are grown throughout the year in most areas, but farmers say the winter season brings better yields and higher profits.
Farmers are increasingly turning to vegetable cultivation as it offers steady cash income. Cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, tomato, potato, leafy greens, carrot, cucumber, beans, radish, bottle gourd and chilli are among the vegetables being planted across the district.
Madaripur Sadar farmer Muzam Badsha said he is cultivating vegetables on 30 decimals of land this year.
Chilarchar Union farmer Alamgir Molla said, “I have taken the initiative to cultivate vegetables on 13 bighas of land. Bottle gourd, cucumber, okra and eggplant have already been planted.”
Following agricultural advice, Shibchar’s Kutubpur Union farmer Tamim Madbar said, “I have spent Tk 50,000 to grow cucumbers on 40 decimals of land and already earned Tk 70,000.”
He said farmers in the area grow vegetables all year round alongside winter crops, earning enough to bring solvency to their families.
According to the Madaripur District Agricultural Extension Department, targets for vegetable cultivation this year include 1,010 hectares in Sadar upazila, 1,400 hectares in Kalkini and Dasar, 800 hectares in Rajoir, and 1,000 hectares in Shibchar.
Madaripur District Agriculture Officer Rahima said, “A target of 4,320 hectares has been set for winter vegetable cultivation this season. We have provided incentives to farmers and distributed seeds and fertilisers free of cost.”
She added that if the weather remains favourable, farmers will make good profits from their harvest this year as well.
