RAJSHAHI, Dec 05 (BSS): Farmers are cultivating tomato successfully in the region including the vast Barind tract. They are very enthusiastic and optimistic for high market price and suitable climatic condition.
"Many farmers have already changed their fortunes through tomato cultivation in the region. They can earn between Tk 30,000 to Tk 35,000 by cultivating tomatoes on each bigha of land in a season," Abdur Rahim, a farmer of Palpur village under Godagari upazila, told the news agency.
Tomato cultivation has created job opportunities for hundreds of educated youths of the region and it could change the socio-economic condition of the poor if marketing and cost-effective environment-friendly technologies are ensured.
Target of the cash crop farming has been surpassed in Godagari upazila of the district as it becomes famous for the cash crop by virtue of its better yield attained by the farmers during the last over a decade.
More than 4,000 hectares of land were brought under the farming only in the upazila this year, said Monzurul Haque, Additional Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).
Meanwhile, although the early varieties of tomato are available in local market and it is selling high.
"One kilogram of tomato is being sold at Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kg in local market. It is beyond the purchasing capacity of lower and lower middle-income people like us," said Rajina Begum, a housewife living in Sagarpara of Rajshali city.
The wholesale price of a maund of tomato is now about Tk 2,500 to Tk 3,000, but its price will come down to Tk 100 per maund at the end of this season, tomato traders said.
Mustafizur Rahman, additional director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rajshahi, said tomato farming is gaining popularity in the region, particularly in the vast tract of Barind area, as its cultivation is profitable here.
