A small 18-katha plot in Meherpur has turned into an unlikely symbol of agricultural success, with farmer Abul Kalam cultivating 26 varieties of indigenous and seasonal vegetables and proving that careful planning can turn limited land into a profitable enterprise.
Abul Kalam, a farmer from Gangni Upazila, has spent nearly 18 years in agriculture, initially focusing on hybrid vegetables before repeated losses from extreme heat, erratic rainfall and disease forced him to rethink his approach.
On the advice of agricultural officials, he shifted to indigenous vegetable varieties around five years ago, a decision that has since transformed both his income and reputation in the area.
The small plot now produces cauliflower, cabbage, banana, bottle gourd, pumpkin, bitter gourd, yard-long bean, garlic, onion, brinjal, tomato, cucumber, spinach, Indian spinach, ridge gourd, snake gourd, sweet pumpkin, chilli and several other local vegetables, alongside trial cultivation of beetroot.
By using row-based and layered cultivation techniques, Abul Kalam has maximised every portion of his land, allowing multiple crops to grow simultaneously on the same plot.
He said the greatest advantage of this diversified method is reduced risk, as losses in one crop can be offset by others, adding that his production cost this season stood at around Tk20,000 against earnings of about Tk1.2 lakh so far.
Local farmers, once sceptical, are now visiting his field to learn the method, while farmer Nasir Uddin said the success has changed perceptions about small-scale farming.
District Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Sanjib Mridha said the initiative offers a practical model for marginal farmers, demonstrating how diversified cultivation can boost income, ensure food security and make efficient use of shrinking farmland.
