RANGPUR, Jan 7: A good number of farmers at different upazilas in Rangpur district are getting financially solvent by growing sweet potato on their lands.
Its cultivation has proved lucrative which has encouraged the growers to cultivate it this season instead of other crops.
Sources said cultivation of the crop has gained much popularity among the farmers especially in the char areas of the region as its production cost is lower in comparison with other crops. Its cultivation process is also easier, sources also said.
Nazul Mia, a sweet potato grower of Char Nazirdaho at Kawnia upazila in the district said he has cultivated the crop on two bighas of land this season by spending about Tk 10,000. Last year he earned Tk 40, 000 from its sale. He is expecting more profit this season.
Safiar Rahman of Char Mohipur at Gangachara upazila told FE that he cultivated sweet potato on 1 bigha of land this season. The soil of sandy char is suitable for its cultivation, he further said. He is also optimistic of attaining satisfactory profit from its cultivation.
A number of sweet potato growers said, sweet potato is being grown abundantly in char ares of Rangpur and its adjoining districts as sandy char lands are very suitable for the cultivation of the crop. Owing to lower production cost many farmers are showing their interest in its cultivation in recent years.
A farmer can produce 65-80 maunds of sweet potato on one bigha of land.
Department of Agriculture Extension DAE sources said, sweet potato is growing on a large scale in sandy char areas of different upazilas including Gangachara and Kawnia in the district. DAE is also providing necessary helps and agri-inputs to the growers in order to enhance its production, sources added.
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Communication networks
A BSS report says: Mayor of Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) and valiant freedom fighter Alhaj Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu has said Rangpur will have excellent road communication networks to become a well-planned modern city.
He said this while launching carpeting works of four roads at separate ceremonies in Dhap Medical Mour, New Jummapara, Thikadarpara and Bananipara areas under Ward Nos 16, 23, 26 and 27 respectively in the city today (Wednesday) as the chief guest.
Panel Mayor of RCC Golam Kabir Kajol, RCC Councilors Sekendar Ali (Ward No-23), Razzaque Mandal (Ward No-26) and Akram Hossain (Ward No-27), Councilor from reserved Wards Hasna Banu attended the ceremonies as the special guests.
