RAJSHAHI, Mar 13: Farmers in the district have achieved an ample production of pumpkin this season.
The pumpkin peasants are making a good profit than other Rabi crops growers spending a small amount of money.
The farmers had sowed the seed of the vegetable October last and started harvesting from the middle week of January.
The farmers can harvest the item after 80 to 90 days of its cultivation.
A good number of growers said commercial pumpkin cultivation has been gaining popularity in the area since 2012.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) supports the pumpkin cultivators by providing all necessary inputs.
A small green pumpkin is sold at Tk 30 to Tk 40, a medium one at Tk 45 to Tk 60 and big pumpkin at Tk 70 to Tk 100.
Traders send locally-produced pumpkin to different districts for high demand.
To grow pumpkin on one bigha of land farmers usually spend Tk 4,000 to Tk 7,000.
"Profit over Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000 can be made from the same land if a bumper production is achieved," said Deb Dulal Dhali, deputy director of Rajshahi DAE.
"I have cultivated pumpkin on one bigha of land this season spending Tk 6,500," said farmer Nizam Sheikh of Naohata under Paba upazila.
"I have got over 1,000 small, middle and big pumpkins and made a profit of Tk 50,000 from the produce" he added.
