Sweet potato cultivation gaining popularity in northern region

RANGPUR, Feb 20: Cultivation of sweet potato is gaining popularity among the farmers of Char areas in Rangpur, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts as it has proved lucrative.
Due to low production cost and easy cultivation process farmers are showing interest in its cultivation and as a result its cultivation has increased significantly in char areas of the region.
According the Department of Agriculture DAE sources, about 2,500 hectares of land has been brought under sweet potato cultivation in the districts in the season and the farmers are quite satisfied with the yield they have attained so far. Of the total some 510 hectares have been brought under its cultivation in Rangpur district, 1000 hectares in Gaibandha and 990 hectares in Kurigram district.
Sobhan Miah, a sweet potato grower of Char Pallimari at Kawnia upazila in Rangpur district said he has cultivated the crop on one bigha of land this season by spending about Tk 6,000. He has already earned Tk 30,000 by selling his produce and is optimistic of getting more dividends during the remaining part of the season.  
Mizanur Rahman (45), another sweet potato cultivator of Char Talpatti under Gangachara upazila in Rangpur district told FE that he has brought 40 decimals of land under the cultivation of the crop this season. He has earned Tk 25,000 so far from the sale of the produce. He is hopeful of earning more during this season.
Talking to The Financial Express a number of sweet potato growers said, sandy char lands are very suitable for the cultivation of the crop. A farmer can produce 70-80 maunds of sweet potato on one bigha of land. Per maund sweet potato can be sold between Tk 500 to Tk 700. Its cultivation cost is also very low as it needs less fertiliser and irrigation. Only Tk 5000 to Tk 6000   is required for the cultivation of the crop one bigha of land.  
Deputy Director of DAE, Rangpur Feroz Ahmed said, the cultivation of sweet potato is getting popular in char areas of the region as the farmers are getting good profit through its cultivation. Usually farmers complete the cultivation process of the crop during November-December and harvest it during February-March. DAE also provided necessary helps and agri-inputs to the growers in order to boost up its production, he added.