'Bengal Sweet' pumpkin farming getting popular in Gopalganj

OUR CORRESPONDENT | August 09, 2024 00:00:00

A partial view of a pumpkin garden at Silna field area in Sadar upazila of Gopalganj district — FE Photo

GOPALGANJ, Aug 08: 'Bengal Sweet' pumpkin cultivation has gained popularity in the district for its high yield and profits.

A total of 204 hectares of land have been brought under pumpkin cultivation in the district with a production target of 5,508 tonnes, said sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

Some 2,500 farmers, including females, are involved in the pumpkin farming this season, they added.

Hanif Mallik, 45, a pumpkin farmer of village Nakrirchar under Gopalganj Sadar upazila, said he is farming 'Bengal sweet' pumpkin on 20 decimals of land this season.

The growth condition of the pumpkin is satisfactory if the weather condition remains unchanged.

"I'll get 56 maunds of pumpkin which market price is Tk 68,000. It is being selling at Tk 30 a kg," Hanif said.

Prodip Halder, sub-Assistant agriculture officer (SAAO), Raghunathpur union block No 55 under Sadar upazila in the district, told the FE that the pumpkin is a high yielding variety (HYV) crop which has come from Thailand.

Its life duration is 150 days. Growers can harvest this pumpkin from 65 to 70 days from its planting.

Susama Audhikari, 40, a female farmer of village Silna under Gopalganj Sadar upazila, said she has cultivated 'Bengle sweet' pumpkin on 15 decimals of land this current season.

"I've already sold pumpkin worth Tk 35,000. If the climate remains unchanged, I will likely to sell the crop worth Tk 15,000 per maund."Mafroza Akther, Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO), Gopalganj Sadar, told the FE that pumpkin 'Bengal Sweet' is an elevated origin and a high yielding variety (HYV).

A total of 85 hectares of land have been brought under pumpkin cultivation under Gopalganj Sadar upazila.

Parimal Mandal, 51, another farmer of village Raghunathpur under Gopalganj Sadar upazila, said he cultivated the pumpkin on 65 decimal of land this season.

If the weather condition remains favourable, I will get 182 maunds of pumpkin, which market price is Tk 218,000, he added.

Abdul Kadir Sarder, deputy director (DD Agriculture, Kahamrbari in Gopalganj, told the FE that local people are more interested in pumpkin farming in this region for its high profits.

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