Gopalganj eyes bumper snake gourd yield

GOPALGANJ, July 13: Snake gourd farming is gaining popularity among farmers under Sadar Upazila of the district as they are getting lucrative profit from the cultivation of the agri produce.
A total of 40 acres of land have been brought into 'Asha & Rasni' snake-gourd cultivation with a production target of 128 tonnes in Sadar Upazila, according to local agriculture office sources.
As many as 300 farmers, including males and females, are involved in the snake-gourd cultivation, they said.
Pradip Halder, sub-assistant agriculture officer (SAAO) in Raghunathpur union, has told this correspondent that a total of 10 bighas of land have been brought into the snake-gourd farming in the union this current year.
A farmer can start harvesting the crop since after 60 days of its planting. About 20 farmers of the union are involved in this snake-gourd cultivation.
Sanjit Biswas, 35, a farmer of Raghunathpur village under Sadar Upazila, said he has cultivated snake-gourd 'Rasni' on 42 decimals of land.
"If weather remains favourable, I will get 33 maunds of snake gourd which price is Tk 53,000 and production cost is Tk 16,000."
Agriculture officer Sanjoy Kundu told The FE that Asha and Rasni snake gourd has raised hope among rural farmers as it is a profitable crop.
"Its production cost is low, but profit is high, so farmers are more interested in its farming."
Kakali Bala, 38, a female farmer of Raghunathpur village under Sadar Upazila, has told The FE that she has cultivated 'Asha' on 33 decimals of land this season.
"I've already sold 18 maunds of the snake gourd for Tk 29,000."
The female farmer hopes that she will get a good profit of Tk 42,000 from the snake-gourd cultivation if weather remains favourable for its farming.
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