Bumper production, lucrative price make Magura radish growers happy

MAGURA, Oct 12: Bumper production and lucrative price have made radish growers happy in Magura district this season.
Harvesting of radish has already been started and appearing in the local markets. Farmers of the district are expected a bumper production of radish this season.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Magura said a total of 510 hectares of land are under radish cultivation in the district. We are expecting 4,590 tonnes of production.
Mrinal Kanti, a farmer of village Thakurbari under Magura sadar upazila, said, "I cultivated two bighas of land. I have already earned Tk 30,000".
Farmer Atul Saha of village Jagla under sadar upazila said radish in now being sold in the retail market at Tk 50.00 per kg. I have never witnessed such a high price during my life. "This season, I have cultivated 5 bighas of land. I am expecting a profit about Tk 150,000. Moreover, I have taken loan at low interest rate which is only 4.0 per cent. Such loan encouraged me to grow radish".
Aminul Islam, a vegetables wholeseller, said, "Now we are sending radish amounting to about Tk 200,000 to Tk 300,000 to different parts of the country including the capital city. The demand for radish is so high even we cannot meet up the demand.
When contacted, Shafiqur Rahman, executive director of Palli Prokriti ( an agriculture and environment NGO ), said low production cost and high price is encouraging Magura farmers in radish cultivation .
The total acreage of radish cultivation in the district was 350 hectares of land before 5 years while the cultivation has stood at 510 hectares this year. If loan facility with low interest like this year continues farmers will be benefited.
DAE official Joydeb Shaha said now Magura farmers are enjoying radish cultivation due to bumper production and lucrative price. We are overjoyed as marginal famers are mainly beneficiaries in this situation, he added.