A bottle gourd farmer on his way to a local market to sell his produce — FE Photo MAGURA, Nov 13: Mulching method in producing bottle gourd is gaining popularity in the district.
Youth Dider of Shibrampur village under Sadar upazila has achieved an abundant yield of the vegetable by applying the method in his field.
He said mulching method is a popular agriculture technique in India. "I came to know about the method through the internet. Then with the help of the officials at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Magura I adopted the technique in growing bottle gourd", he added.
Under the method, first, the crop land has to be covered with mulching paper (one kind of polythene). Then gourd seeds are to put on the paper. When the seedlings appear, they are transplanted to another plot wrapping with mulching paper.
The main benefit of mulching method is insects hardly can cause harm to seeds and seedlings. Moreover, it protects the tender seedlings from heat of the sun and rain.
The paper used in the mulching method comes directly from China and it is not expensive.
Dider said, "I cultivated gourd on two bighas of land. In the meantime I have already made a profit of Tk 50,000 and am expecting to earn Tk 0.1 million this season."
Earlier famers in Jhenidah, Meherpur and Chuadanga were successful in growing gourd under mulching method, he said, adding, "I am the first farmer in Magura who has become successful in growing bottle gourd adopting this technique."
"Being inspired with my success many other farmers in my village are showing interest in growing gourd using the method."
Deputy director of DAE Zahidul Amin said, "We are proud of Dider's success. He has showed outstanding success by using the method. Mulching method is an eco-friendly process.
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