RANGPUR, Mar 21: The okra growers in the district are optimistic of achieving a good yield during the current season due to a congenial weather condition.
Okra is cultivated at Annadanagor, Chhawla, Deuti and Nabdiganj under Pirgachha upazila, Paschim Mandrain, Changmari in Gangachara upazila, Pairaband, Boiragiganj, Ranipukur in Mithapukur upazila, Baniapara, Alampur of Taraganj upazila, and Keshobpur, Palichara area in Sadar upazila.
According to sources okra growers under the district have been getting an excellent output of their produce for the last several years. As a result its cultivation is on the increase across the region.
Due to good profit peasants are showing more interest in the cultivation of different vegetables including okra than cultivation of some other crops, sources said.
Safiul, a farmer at Palichara village under Rangpur Sadar upazila told FE that he cultivated okra on 30 decimals of land this season. Last year he made good profit from its sale in markets, he said. This year he is expecting the same.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur sources said the peasants under the district have been earning good profit through farming different varieties of vegetables including okra in recent years.
Satisfactory prices as well as huge demand have encouraged the growers to cultivate the vegetable on a large scale, sources further said.
DAE is giving the growers necessary advice in this regard so that they can get satisfactory yield of their produces. Use of modern technologies also enhanced its yield in recent years, sources added.