BOGURA, Jan 06: The bitter gourd farmers are happy over fair market price as well as good output in Bogura district this season. Each maund of bitter gourd is being sold at Tk 1400 to 1500 in the wholesale markets. In retail market it sells at Tk 35 to 40 for each kg.
The peasants of the agricultural region had sowed bitter gourd seeds last October and started harvesting the produce in the last couple of weeks. They are also sending the produce across the county after meeting local demand.
Meanwhile, the peasants are getting abundant production of the vegetable due to favourable weather condition and timely supply of necessary agri-inputs, said farmer Kobbat Hossain under Shibganj upazila.
In a recent visit at Mohastha bazar under Shibganj kitchen market the correspondent found the farmers are gathering from very early in the morning to sell their produce to the wholesalers. The wholesalers are taking preparation to transport the crop across the country meeting local demand.
"I have cultivated high-breed bitter gourd variety in my 12 decimal of land spending Tk 11,000 aiming to become financially self-reliant," said farmer Arun Kunar under Nandigram upazila. He said, "I have already sold the crops worth Tk 21,000 and is expecting to make over Tk 14,000 from the rest of the produce."
The farmers are showing more interest to grow the crops as they are to invest small amount of money against handsome profit, said Sub-assistance Agriculture Officer Faridur Rahman. He said they have provided all necessary support to the farmers, he added.
The DAE official said, bitter gourd farming is boosting the economic condition of the farmers this season. The farmers are showing more interest to grow bitter gourd as its cultivation is easy and lucrative, he added.
Our correspondent from Magura adds: A bumper production of bitter gourd has been achieved in the district this season.
Bitter gourd is being sold in the local market at a high price. So Magura farmers are enjoying bitter gourd cultivation and expecting to earn Tk 85 million.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources informed, a total of 240 hectares of land have been brought under bitter gourd cultivation in the district this season. The total production will stand at 1680 tonnes.
Prokash Shikder, a farmer of village Harishpur under Shalikha upazila of Magura said, this year I brought two bighas of land under bitter gourd cultivation. In the meantime I have earned Tk 40,000 from my cultivation and I am expecting Tk 60,000 more. After that my total earning will stand at about Tk 0.1 million.
Belal Hossain, a grower of village Polita under Magura Sadar upazila said, at present bitter gourd is being sold in the retail market at Tk 80 per kg. On the other hand we are selling bitter gourd in the wholesale market at Tk 60 per kg.
The difference between retail and wholesale market was reasonable. In this situation we are happy with the price of our crop, he said.
Mizanur Rahman, a vegetable wholesaler in Dhaka Road area of Magura town said, every day we are sending bitter gourd worth Tk 1.0 million to Tk 1.2 million to different parts of the country from Magura. In this situation growers are getting fair price of bitter gourd.
When contacted Shafiqur Rahman, Executive Director, Palli Prokriti, an agriculture-based NGO said, last year the total cultivation of the vegetable was 180 hectares in the district. This year the cultivation stood at 240 hectares. That is why bitter gourd cultivation was increasing in the district.
For several years bitter gourd growers are getting fair price. Moreover, it is less vulnerable to rotting compared to other vegetables. It can be stored for a long time. For this bitter gourd cultivation is gaining popularity in the district.
Magura DAE official Shohrab Hossen said, harvesting of bitter gourd has already started in the district. Bumper production and fair price of bitter gourd have brought smile on the faces of growers.