Winter crop cultivation expanding in Sylhet division

SYLHET, Nov 27: About 50,621 hectares of land in four districts of Sylhet division have so far been brought under the production of different winter crops and vegetables.
Of the total, highest 34,907 hectares are being used for bottle gourd, sweet gourd, radish, bean, tomato, cucumber, leafy vegetable, potato, pumpkin, cauliflower and brinjal.
Sources said farming area for Rabi crops is increasing in the region.
Some 34,907 hectares of land have been brought under the farming of vegetables, 3,131 hectares under potato, 351 hectares under wheat, 3,838 hectares under mustard, 1,142 hectares under coriander, 761 hectares under chilli, 627 hectares under Mash Kalai and 3,029 hectares of land under French bean.
Maize, sweet potato, garlic, onion, lentil, sugarcane and groundnut are being grown in rest of the land, sources added.
Additional deputy director of DAE, Sylhet, Md Altabur Rahman said vegetable cultivation is gaining popularity among the growers in the region for high demand and price.
Growers show interest in vegetable production rather than other crops for more profit.
BSS adds: In Manikganj, the cultivators of vegetables in the district are making a handsome profit due to good market price of the agri-outputs.
The cultivators are optimistic about attaining a good yield of their produce during the current season for congenial weather condition and timely supply of necessary agri-inputs.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said a total of 7,950 hectares of land have been brought under vegetable cultivation during the current winter season in the district.
The sources said the land of Singair upazila, Saturia and Manikganj sadar are suitable for vegetable cultivation including broccoli, tomato, cabbage, radish, bean, brinjal and carrot.
Farmers generally harvest vegetable from the last week of November and it continues till December.
Some farmers of the district cultivated vegetable earlier on their high land which have started appearing in local markets.
A piece of fresh cabbage is being sold at Tk 25 to Tk 30 in retail market while whole sale price is Tk 15 to Tk 20.
Like cabbage one piece of medium sized broccoli is being sold at the same rate in the markets.
DAE has taken various steps including timely supply of necessary agri-inputs to the farmers to increase the production of vegetable.