Thousands of marginal farmers in Sylhet division are passing a busy time in farming various kinds of winter vegetables during the current season.
An increase in demand has caused them to turn to farming the vegetables on a large area of land.
The vegetables include gourd, sweet gourd, radish, bean, tomato, cucumber, potato, pumpkin, cauliflower, cabbage, egg plant.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources, already 49,013 hectares of land have been brought under the cultivation of the fresh crops.
The cultivated area includes 23,870 hectares in Sylhet, 7665 hectares in Moulvibazar, 8,000 hectares in Habiganj and 9478 hectares in Sunamganj district, said sources.
Meanwhile, about 3000 farmers in the region have been given incentive in the form of seed and fertilisers this season as they had their vegetable land damaged by early rains and floods last season.
Deputy Director at Sylhet DAE Office Md Abul Hashim said a good number of farmers have cultivated vegetables on the relatively new land in Dakshin Surma upazila.
The peasants in Golapganj upazila are also getting engaged in vegetable farming on a commercial basis, he said.
Additional Director at the Sylhet DAE office Md Altabur Rahman said the cultivation of the fresh crops is gaining immense popularity in the region, especially in Sunamganj and Habiganj district.
He said the DAE has been providing all the necessary agricultural inputs to the growers.