The extensive cultivation of winter vegetables has commenced across various upazilas of Manikganj, renowned for its rich vegetable production. The district's agriculture department is optimistic that, given favorable yields and prices, winter vegetable sales from Manikganj could reach an impressive Tk 3.5 thousand crore this season.
Approximately 250,000 farmers in the district are actively engaged in cultivating a diverse range of vegetables, employing modern, scientific, and commercial farming methods to achieve self-sufficiency. These efforts are not only transforming the fate of millions of vegetable farmers but also significantly contributing to the national economy.
The District Agriculture Extension Department reports that, within the seven upazilas of the district, winter vegetables such as red cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, beans, brinjal, gourd, carrot, and tomato are being cultivated across an expansive 15,000 hectares of land. The accelerated growth of vegetable cultivation is attributed to the quicker turnaround time for yields and increased profitability compared to other crops.
Farmers like Shaukat Ali from Janna village are exemplifying the shift from traditional trading to farming, experiencing financial success by cultivating various vegetables on their lands. Ali, who has diversified his crops to include beans, coriander leaves, and radishes, anticipates substantial earnings, exemplifying the profitability of modernized agricultural practices.
Sohel Hossain, another farmer, has adopted companion cropping alongside his year-round papaya cultivation. By planting cauliflower, coriander leaves, red cabbage, and tomatoes on his two-and-a-half-bigha land, he aims to maximize profits through diversification. Despite the success stories, some farmers express concerns over the rising costs of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds. Arshed Ali from Singair Upazila urges authorities to consider reducing these prices to support the farming community.Muhammad Faridur Rahman highlights the high demand for Manikganj's quality vegetables and suggests that facilitating exports could significantly boost profitability for local farmers.
Deputy Director of the District Agriculture Extension Department, Abu Md.
Enayet Ullah, acknowledges the potential of exporting vegetables abroad and reveals ongoing efforts to initiate exports by the end of the month through collaborations with foreign companies and local farmers.
The district remains hopeful that this season's vegetable sales will reach Tk 3 to Tk 3.5 thousand crore, marking a significant milestone in Manikganj's agricultural prowess.
