Jamil Selim, a resident of Thakurpara in Cumilla city, has successfully produced black-coloured tomato, 'Beauty Black', in Bangladesh for the first time.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) of Cumilla has taken a move to start commercial cultivation of the new variety of tomato following Jamil Selim's success in its farming.
Jamil Selim, an amateur farmer, has been engaged in farming for a long time as a hobby. He used to grow paddy, vegetables and produce fish in his farmland.
According to officials at the district agriculture office, the rare variety of tomato has been cultivated in the country for the first time.
Jamil collected different varieties of tomato seeds, including 'Black Beauty', PorkChop, Tiger Ela arrow, from the USA and cherry tomato seed from Australia with the help of his relatives.
People from different parts of the district visit his house to see 'Black Beauty', reports UNB.
Jamil said, "I'm fond of collecting different varieties of seeds. I've collected the seeds of 'Beauty Black' from America through my relatives, and I got success in planting this tomato in my garden."
Tariq Mahmudul Islam, additional director at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Cumilla, said the 'Black Beauty' is usually grown in cold region of the world. It is Jamil Selim who produced the rare variety of tomato in his own land for the first time.
If this black variety tomato is cultivated in the country commercially, farmers could get a high yield during summer, he said.
The plant of 'Black Beauty' is bigger than the normal one and eight to 10 tomatoes can be produced from each plant, he added. "We're trying to start its commercial cultivation," said the DAE official.
Agronomist Mosleh Uddin said the 'Black Beauty' tomato looks nice and it tastes sweet, too. It can be preserved for a longer period as it contains small portion of water, he added.
Besides, farmers will get good price of this tomato for its uncommon colour, he mentioned.