Broccoli farming becomes a boon to many in Rajshahi region
Tuesday, 19 January 2021
RAJSHAHI, Jan 18 (BSS): Farming of broccoli, a non-conventional winter vegetable, has become a boon for many grassroots farmers as they are getting more income from the vegetable cultivation compared to many other conventional ones in the region.
Like the previous couple of years, the newly harvested vegetable along with other ones has appeared in the local markets abundantly at present making both the sellers and buyers happy.
As a whole, the vegetable has brought a diversification in the kitchen markets besides a new dimension in the local economy, experts' sources said.
"I'm heavily satisfied upon getting the seasonal vegetable regularly since the winter season began," said Monwara Begum, a housewife of Sultanabad area in Rajshahi city. Currently, she buys broccoli at Taka 30 per piece.
Azizul Islam, a vendor of Shayampur area, has been selling the vegetable more or less every day for the last three to four weeks. Demand of the vegetable has increased to a greater extent, he added.
Meanwhile, cultivation of broccoli has gradually been gaining popularity in the region including its vast Barind tract for the last six to seven years by dint of its lucrative market price and gradually mounting demand.
He said broccoli is a winter vegetable with high nutritional content. It is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
It looks like cauliflower but its colour is green and not milky white like cauliflower. Soil condition and winter weather in the region are favourable for broccoli cultivation.
Side by side with other conventional winter vegetables, the cash crop is seen appearing in the local markets everyday bringing diversity in the vegetable markets both wholesale and retail ones. The non-conventional winter vegetable has started turning into a conventional one.
Abul Kashem, a farmer of Parila village under Paba Upazila, said many farmers are cultivating the seasonal cash crop in the area as they are getting a better market price of their yield compared to many other crops.