RANGPUR, Mar 11: The water pumpkin (Jali kumra) cultivators in the district are jubilant due to satisfactory yield of their produce this year.
Owing to early harvest the growers are getting good profit from its sale in markets which is encouraging them to expand farming of the vegetable next season, sources said.
Use of modern technology as well as use of compost has enhanced the yield of vegetables significantly in recent years, sources further said.
While visiting some areas across the district it was found the farmers busy taking care of their vegetable fields. Some were found harvesting their produces.
"I have earned Tk 12,000 so far by growing water pumpkin on 20 decimals of land," said Matin Mia, a farmer of Boiriganj village under Mithapukur upazila.
Idris Ali, another farmer at Nabdiganj village under Pirgachha upazila said he is very happy to witness a bumper production and good price of his produce. This season he has already earned Tk 10,000 so far by cultivating water pumpkin on his 25 decimals of land, he also said.
The farmers are also cultivating different varieties of vegetables including water pumpkin without using any pesticides, sources said. The growers are using eco-friendly pheromone traps instead of pesticide to save their vegetable fields from pest attack, sources also said.
"We do not use any pesticides or chemical fertilisers to grow vegetables. Such vegetables are fresh, tasty and healthy, said a number of peasants of Ranipukur area in Mithapukur upazila.
Locals come to them to buy toxin free vegetables produced on their field. Prices of such vegetables are also higher than that of the usually cultivated ones, they also said.
Many peasants under the region have changed their financial condition through vegetable farming in recent years, sources also said.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur official sources said thousands of farmers of the region are engaged in different vegetables cultivation including water pumpkin on their lands and earning good profit.
DAE is also helping the growers with necessary assistances in this regard, sources added.
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