BOGURA, Feb 12: Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) officials have forecast that over 13,000 tonnes of dry chilli will be produced this season in Bogura district.
In a recent visit in Gabtoly, Dupchanchia, Kahaloo, Adamdighi, Shibganj, Sherpur, Sonatola, Sariakandi, Nandigram, Dhunot, Shajahanpur and Sadar upazilas the correspondent found both male and women famers are passing busy time to process and dry the spice from very early in the morning to late at night.
After plucking green chilli, they kept the rest of crops in a view to make them dry chilli, said farmer Abdus Salam under Gabtoly upazila. He said, the farmers began drying process from the first week of February and it will continue till next month.
Farmers have brought over 7,666 hectares of land under chilli cultivation this season aiming around financially self-reliant spending sufficient capital, according to suggestion of DAE. They have produced around a abundant output as the favourable weather condition boosted the farming.
Everyday a good number of female workers are engaging with the profession in order to add extra income, said president of labour organisation Abdul Hannan. The female day labourers are making Tk 160 to 200 per day from the job.
Before a couple of weeks, they were passing idle time as they had no work. But, they are passing busy time across the district as the farmers seek their labour in the work, said labourer Dulaly Begum under Sharikandi upazila.
The farmers had made approximately Tk 600 million profit last year. They are also expecting to make Tk 650 million this season if the price remains fair in the next six months.
The moderate climate is boosting good yield among the farmers, said sub-assistance agriculture officer of DAE Faridur Rahman. We are providing necessary suggestions among the farmers to make the programme a grand success, he added.
"I have cultivated chilli on 52 decimal of land spending Tk 29,000 this season hoping for good profit," said farmer Golzar Hossain under Sadar upazila. "I am getting bumper production and fair market price simultaneously." he added.
DAE official said the district has immense prospect to grow the lucrative spice chilli round the year. Present market price has generated hope of profit among the farmers, he added.
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