CUMILLA, Nov 18: Cultivation of different types of vegetables is gaining popularity among the growers across the district.
Some growers said bean, snake gourd, bottle gourd and sweet pumpkin cultivation in paddy field is profitable.
Farmer Karthik Sutradhar of Jashpur village said he is growing Aman paddy on five acres of land this season.
He said, "Every year I grow bottle gourd in my paddy field. I first stockpile a good amount water hyacinth plants at a corner of the paddy field. When they rot, I sprinkle bottle gourd seeds."
"I also use cow dung", he said, adding, next year he is planning to grow beans, cucumbers and snake gourd in the paddy field.
"Vegetables production in paddy field ensures an extra income", the grower said.
Shahida Khanam, deputy assistant agriculture officer of Goliara Union under Cumilla South Sadar upazila, said varieties of vegetables are now growing along with paddy. It is profitable as the farmers get paddy and vegetables from the same land.
The official said growers use tree branches and logs for the vegetable plants. Birds sit on the branches and eat insects, thus helping boost paddy production.
