PABNA, Oct 31: Struggling with poverty since childhood, Amir Ali of Joynagar village in Ishwardi upazila under the district has graduated this year, alongside gaining solvency through brinjal farming.
Earlier he served as a labourer in others' land to bear his educational expenses as his ailing father, also a farm labourer, could not work much.
This year Ali started farming Hazari species of brinjal on 15 decimals of unused land beside their house. He planted saplings in February and started harvesting in April. Till September he earned Tk 70,000 from selling the popular vegetable.
Visiting Amir's small vegetable garden, this correspondent saw three to four feet long plants with profusely yielding brinjal.
"With the help of upazila agriculture department, I cultivated Hazari species of brinjal for the first time here. I spent Tk 12,000 for the purpose and worked heart and soul for success. I have got better than expected results," said Amir Ali.
"There is wide demand of Hazari brinjal in the local market, as the variety is soft and tasty. Now, harvesting brinjal its market price is Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg. The harvesting might continue for two months more, if the weather remains favourable.
"Seeing my success, many locals have expressed keen interest in brinjal cultivation."
Farmers can earn more money from vegetable farming than usual crop paddy," he said. "Amir Ali has set a good example of innovative farming," said, Rowshon Jamal, upazila agriculture officer of Ishwardi.
