Growers happy over bumper Mash Kalai production in Pabna

Our Correspondent | June 02, 2015 00:00:00

A field of Phaseolus Mungo (Mashkalai) at Arambariya in Ishurdi Upazila of Pabna. — FE Photo

PABNA, June 1: A bumper production of phaseolus mungo (Bangla name 'Mash Kalai') and its fair price has brought smile on the faces of farmers in nine upazilas of the district this season.

Farmers have achieved the satisfactory production due to favourable weather conditions and timely support of necessary agro-inputs from agro-officials. A good number of them have become self-reliant and changed their fortune through cultivating the crop for the last few years.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office sources said a total of 3,746 hectares of land was brought under Mash Kalai cultivation in nine upazilas of the district.

Of them, 205 hectares are in Atghoria, 532 hectares in Chatmohar, 419 hectares in Faridpur, 502 hectares in Bhangura, 312 hectares in Sujanagar, 567 hectares in Bera, 332 hectares in Ishwardi, 625 hectares in Santhia and 252 hectares in Pabna sadar upazilas.

The growers are also very happy over fair prices of their produce as the crop is being sold in the local market at Tk 4,000 to 4,200 per maund while it was sold at Tk 3,200 to Tk 3,500 in the previous year.

Abul Bashar, a farmer of Matiabari village under Atghoria upazila said, "I cultivated Mash Kalai in two bighas of land spending only Tk 13,000 this year and I got optimal yield exceeding my target fixed at 15 maunds."

The growers urged the government to monitor the local Mash Kalai markets during harvesting period so that they are more benefited by selling it in the local markets.

Bibhuti Bhushon Sarkar, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in the district said farmers in Pabna district are showing interest to cultivate Mash Kalai in more lands as it has proved profitable.

Many farmers alleged that due to lack of proper marketing policy, the intermediaries or the wholesalers are making extra profit depriving them of a better price. They urged the government to take proper steps for marketing Mash Kalai for the sake of growers.

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