Rangpur growers happy over eggplant production

RANGPUR, Nov 27: Brinjal growers in different upazilas under Rangpur district are overjoyed as they are making good profit through its cultivation on their lands during the current season.

Sabu Miah (40) of Dangapara village under Taraganj Upazila in the district told The Financial Express he brought one bigha of land under cultivation of Brinjal this season and earned Tk 20,000 so far. He is expecting more dividends during the remaining part of the season. Many farmers of the upazila and other parts of the district have become able to overcome the curse of poverty by growing different varieties of vegetables including eggplant, he added.

Tota Miah (55) of Changmari village under Gangachara upazila in the district said, "I cultivated eggplant on my farmlands this season instead of other crops.  I have also got satisfactory output of the produce so far", he added.  

Besides, eggplant is also being grown abundantly at different upazilas of the district by using eco-friendly pheromone trap instead of harmful pesticide.

"I have cultivated eggplant on 45 decimals of my land without using any pesticides. After meeting up family requirements, I sold it. A number of farmer families in the village are engaged in producing vegetables in this way," said Suja Miah of Jumakhanpara village under Ranipukur union in Mithapukur upazila.

"We do not use any insecticide to produce brinjal and other vegetables. Instead we use pheromone trap. Such vegetables are healthy, tasty and more nutritious," Kashem (45) of Paschim Madrain village under Gangachara upazila, told The Financial Express.

Expressing contentment a good number of farmers said it was difficult for them to afford the expenses of their family by growing paddy only; but cultivation of brinjal and some other vegetables is now giving them additional profit to ease their financial constraints. If the cultivators get interest-free loans, necessary help from DAE and other agricultural inputs, they will certainly be benefited by farming vegetables on large scale, they added.

According to DAE official sources cultivation of eggplant 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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