Interest is growing among farmers in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj in cultivating hybrid cucumbers using the modern mulching method.
Farmers are increasingly adopting the technique because it requires comparatively less irrigation, controls weeds, reduces pest and disease attacks and increases yields.
Md Hafizul Islam, a farmer from Nalka Jhakri village under Nalka Union, has cultivated hybrid cucumbers on two bighas of land. Within 35 days, he has harvested nearly six maunds of cucumbers.
He is selling the produce at Tk30 per kilogram in the wholesale market and has spent around Tk1,10,000 on cultivation so far.
Hafizul Islam said he prepared raised beds on 60 decimals of land for cucumber cultivation using the mulching system. After cultivating cucumbers conventionally last year, he found production noticeably higher and operational costs comparatively lower with mulching.
Inspired by his success, many neighbouring farmers are showing interest in adopting the method.
Under the mulching system, raised beds are prepared with organic and chemical fertilisers and covered with black and silver mulching sheets. The sheets retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
The method also keeps pest and disease infestations comparatively low, helping plants grow rapidly and increasing yields.
Bamboo poles and nylon netting are used to create trellises that keep cucumber vines and fruits above the soil. This keeps the cucumbers clean and reduces the risk of rotting.
Irrigation is provided as required, while pest and disease control measures are taken following guidance from local agriculture officials.
Hafizul Islam has planted four hybrid varieties- 577, Joint, Thailand One and Renaissance. He also cultivates cauliflower, cabbage, potato and radish.
However, he alleged that he had not received any assistance or support from agriculture-related offices.
Responding to the allegation, Md Faisal Ahmed, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer for the respective block in Nalka Union, said field officers regularly monitor farmers in the area.
He said Hafizul Islam had not brought any grievance or issue to his attention. He added that officers cannot know what crops farmers are growing or what difficulties they face unless they are informed.
He said the department makes every effort to provide technical advice and co-operation when farmers report their crop status or seek help.
He added that mulching is an important modern agricultural technology and officials are continuously advising farmers to adopt the method for cucumber cultivation.
According to officials at the Upazila Agriculture Extension Office, farmers are being encouraged to cultivate cucumbers through demonstration plots under the Agricultural Development Project of Rajshahi Division through extension of modern technology.
During the current season, 60 decimals of land in the upazila have been brought under demonstration farming using the method.
The agriculture department said cucumber production under the mulching method is reaching 40 to 45 maunds per bigha.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Mominul Islam said a target had been set to cultivate cucumbers on 12 hectares of land in the upazila this season.
He said the target yield was 15 metric tonnes per hectare, with continuous guidance being provided to farmers to maximise production through modern technology.
The method also helps reduce production costs through better irrigation management and weed suppression, while field-level advice is being provided to help farmers achieve good profits.
AKM Manjure Maowla, Deputy Director of the Sirajganj Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said a district-wide target had been set to produce 3,640 metric tonnes of cucumbers from 130 hectares of land this year.
He said farmers were increasingly turning to high-value crops for higher economic returns, with cucumber being a high-value vegetable.
He added that modern technology enables growers to achieve higher yields and better market prices.
Farmers are being encouraged to select suitable varieties based on market demand and local weather conditions and to adopt proper land management and modern tools.
Agriculture experts and officials said combining suitable varieties, improved soil preparation, mulching sheets, trellises and modern irrigation systems can significantly reduce production costs while maximising cucumber yields.
