Bogra farmers happy over bumper yield of pointed-gourd

BOGRA, July 11: A bumper yield of pointed-gourd has brought smile on the faces of the farmers here in Bogra district including 12 upazila this season as Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) provided agri-imput and quality seeds among the growers from the beginning of the season.

DAE official sources said, The department has taken a target to grow 10,000 hectares of land under pointed-gourd cultivation in the district, but, the farmers being interested around 12,000 hectares of land have brought it under vegetables cultivation this season. The farmers are showing more interest to grow pointed-gourd in their cropland as it is more profitable.

A farmer of Dupchanchia upazila said, after meeting the local demand, a huge quantity of pointed-gourd are being supplied to other parts of the country on a daily basis as the region has witnessed a surplus output of it.

"Proper nurturing of the cropland, combating diseases of trees by spraying  pesticides as per advice of DAE officials and overall conducive environment for farming are considered as the key reasons for getting a bumper yield of gourd this year." he added.  

Many farmers of the district have become able to overcome the curse of poverty by growing different varieties of vegetables including eggplants, ginger, garlic, onion and spices.

According to DAE officials sources cultivation of pointed-gourd has increased in recent times in the district, as it has become more lucrative than the cultivation of other crops. Encouraged by good profit a large number of farmers in the district are cultivating it and are becoming financially solvent, sources added.

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