Bitter gourd cultivation expands in Manikganj; yet yield prospects low

MANIKGANJ, Nov 22: Bitter gourd cultivation has been increasing every year in Manikganj Sadar upazila.

Farmers are opting to cultivate the crop on a large scale, hoping for good yield with relatively lower production costs. But this year, natural disasters have dampened those hopes. Repeated rainfall, reduced yields, and falling market prices have left farmers worried. While last year each bigha of land brought in profits of Tk50,000 to 60,000, many growers are now struggling to recover even their production costs.

According to the Sadar Upazila Agriculture Office, bitter gourd has been cultivated on 120 hectares of land this season, 10 hectares more than last year. The production cost per bigha ranges from Tk 30,000 to 35,000. After meeting local demand, the produce is supplied daily to Dhaka and various wholesale markets across the country.

A visit to the fields in Jagir, Garpara, Dighi, and Krishnapur unions showed rows of green bitter gourds hanging from trellises. Some farmers were harvesting, while others were sorting the produce for the market. Krishnapur union, in particular, has seen higher cultivation, leading to the rise of two temporary wholesale hubs. Buyers and traders crowd these hubs from morning to evening.

Zahid Hossain, a farmer from Jagir Union, said "Bitter guard cultivation on each bigha costs Tk30,000-35,000. Last year, I sold produce worth around Tk100,000 from one bigha. But this year, heavy rains damaged many plants and reduced yields. Now the price is only Tk 30-40 per kg. Forget profit, I'm not even sure I'll recover my costs."

Abdul Malek, a farmer from Barahirchar village under Krishnapur union, said, "I cultivated four bighas of bitter gourd and spent around Tk110,000. After all the effort, the returns are very low. Prices are down this year, which has made things even harder."

Farmer Lavlu Molla said, "Those who planted early made some profit. But those who started late barely managed to break even. I planted early, so I earned a bit. Still, the profit I got from one bigha before this time I didn't get that even after cultivating two bighas."

At the two temporary hubs at Barahirchar village, in Krishnapur union, bitter gourds are traded every day.

Babu, the manager of a local wholesale hub, said, "Last year, we received 400-450 maunds of bitter gourd daily. This year, due to lower production, the highest we get is

about 250 maunds. Prices are also low, so our profit is much less than before."Wholesaler Monsur Hossain said, "The quality of bitter gourd here is good. Earlier, we had to buy from scattered fields, but now the hubs made it easier to get large quantities in one place."

Farmer Sharif said, "Earlier, we had to carry two or three maunds to the hubs in Jagir or Bhatbaur. Now we can sell directly at the village. It's easier, saves travel costs, and reduces hassle."

Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Masum Bhuiyan said, "Repeated rainfall has affected the yield this season. However, we are providing farmers with improved seeds, pest management support, and technical assistance. If the weather remains favorable and the market stays steady next season, farmers should get better yields and fair prices."

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