JOYPURHAT, Jan 13: With ample production accompanied by favourable weather condition and timely supply of necessary agri-input, cauliflower farmers are getting satisfactory market price in this peak time in Joypurhat district.
During the period last year, they were severely frustrated as they had to sell each dozen of cauliflower average Tk 55 to 60 against Tk 60 to 62 production cost including seeds, labour and fertiliser.
This year they are selling each dozen of fresh cauliflower at Tk 120 to 130 against Tk 50 to 55 production cost. From Akkelpur, Panchbibi, Kalai, Khetlal and Sadar upazilas of the region more than 40 loaded trucks are moving to other places in the country every day.
The wholesalers from the adjacent district like Bogura, Naogaon and Gaibandha visit the root level cauliflower farms from very early of November to last week of January.
Meanwhile, 500 extreme poor farmers of the region have become self-reliant growing cauliflower this season as they are getting expected market price and bumper output, said farmer Golzar Rahman under Akkelpur upazila.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office sources, farmers are to spend between Tk 20,000 to 25,000 to grow a bigha of cauliflower well in the fertile land but they will earn Tk 50,000 to 70,000 paying available production cost.
When asked a DAE official told this correspondent, the soil and atmosphere of the region are quite favourable for growing vegetable including cauliflower in the winter season.
"I have planted over 8000 seedling of high breed cauliflower on 65 decimal of land spending Tk 29, 000," said farmer Soleman Hossain under Akkelpur upazila. "I have started harvesting the vegetable from the last week of November and sold each cauliflower at Tk 20 to 22 in the retail market." he added.
Getting repeated profit, the cauliflower farming is increasing in the region with assistance of agriculture officers in five upazilas of the district. The farming has created job opportunity for the marginal day labourers, DAE official said.
The extreme poor peasants of the district mostly depend on winter vegetable like cauliflowers from November to January. We have provided logistic support among the farmers, DAE official added.
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