SYLHET, Sept 22: To avert consequences from inclement weather, farmers in Sylhet region, especially in Sunamganj district, are using grafted saplings in cultivation and are getting adequately benefited.
A good number of farmers have started producing saplings by using grafting method in all the four districts in line with the advice from some senior officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
The farmers in Sylhet region have to suffer a lot and incur heavy losses due to excessive rains and extreme heat this season every year.
Especially the people engaged in vegetable farming have to experience serious consequences in such a condition, which they are facing this year too.
Agriculture entrepreneur Shah Alam of Polash in Biswambharpur upazila of Sunamganj has pioneered producing saplings through grafting method.
Spending over Tk2.5 million (Tk 25 lakh), he set up a nursery to produce grafted saplings of various species of vegetables as well as others.
Such grafted saplings would give a better and quicker yield as these are highly tolerant of rains and inclement weather.
For the use of grafted saplings, pest attack in his fields is also very low. On the other hand, the man has already employed 30 workers, both male and female, in the venture.
Shah Alam is producing grafted saplings of tomato, gourd, brinjal, okra, cucumber, cauliflower, pepper, papaya, etc. on a commercial basis.
General plants give yield for a month or two, but the grafted plants remain in the field for a longer period, even up to 6 to 7 mouths. And the yield is also higher.
Shah Alam this time has prepared for selling saplings worth about Tk 3.5 million (Tk 35 lakh), as he started nursery work over three months ago.
He started the sale two weeks ago and has already sold over Tk0.5 million (Tk 5.0 lakh) saplings. He will also cultivate vegetables on his 50 bigha land this time.
Alam said that due to their strong roots normally the grafted plants remain bacteria-free. Besides, excessive heat and rains can also do no harm, he added.
Local labourers are also happy working at Alam's nursery. Some of the local female labourers also expressed their satisfaction working there for months.
Contacted, Deputy Director of the DAE, Sunamganj Bimol Chandra Shome told this correspondent that promising farmer and entrepreneur Shah Alam had spent Tk 5.0 million (Tk 50 lakh) but earned a substantial amount in the last season.
In a bid to assist him with newer farming methods and practice, the DAE through a project gave him an allocation of Tk1.8 million (Tk 18 lakh).
Besides, he himself raised three small ones. All these helped him produce grafted saplings safely, the deputy director said. The man inspired many others in the farming of various vegetables, he added.
He has already started selling grafted saplings worth Tk 0.4 million (Tk 4.0 lakh) this season. He has over 0.4 million (4.0 lakh) grafted saplings of tomato, chilli, quality papaya etc this time.
Alam, however, incurred a loss of Tk1.0 million (10 lakh) in cucumber farming in the last season, which was ultimately covered by other crops, the official noted.
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