Bogra farmers happy over production of off-season bitter-gourd

BOGRA Sep 2: The farmers in all twelve upazilas of Bogra district are expecting a satisfactory production of bitter-gourd following various government steps and favourable climatic conditions as well as timely supply of agri-imputes in this season.
The vegetable is now growing well everywhere in the district showing a good sign of bumper output including its vast Barind tract predicting a bumper productions. The farmers have already started harvesting of off seasonal bitter-gourd from last week.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said, the department has set a target of bringing around 128 hectares of land under bitter-gourd cultivation in 12 upazilas of the districts during the current season but the farmers cultivated the crop on 130 hectares of land. The beneficiary farmers of the district have taken adequate steps in collaboration with the DAE departments this season to achieve the fixed production targets. While visiting, this correspondent found that the farmers are spending busy time rearing the cropland to make handsome money from the produced bitter-gourd.
A farmer Goaffar Hossain of Karoihat village under Nandigram upazila said, "The agriculture departments and NGOs have provided quality seeds, necessary inputs and trainings on the latest technologies to make the programme successful." 'So, the landless and marginal farmers have also brought vast tracts of the sandy char lands under vegetable cultivation in this current season to earn extra money from the cropland costing small money." he added.
Farmer Shahadat Hossain of Murtuzapur village under Dupchanchia upazila said, "I have brought 0.50 acres of land under bitter-gourd cultivation in this season costing Tk 23,000 and I expect Tk 65,000 as profit if the weather condition remains favourable. I don't use pesticides rather I use perching method when the pests attack the crop." he added.
Farmers of the district usually produce huge surplus quantities of rice, potato, maize, vegetables. Per KG of bitter-gourd is now being sold between Tk 50 and 60 in the kitchen market.
When contracted, Deputy Director of DAE Chandi Das said, the farmers are showing more interest to grow bitter-gourd as it is proved more profitable than cultivation of other crops.
He underscored the need for using the latest agro-technologies and disseminating proper knowledge to the farmers for increasing bitter-gourd to achieve self- reliance.
emdadul2015@gmail.com