Home ›› 09 Sep 2021 ›› Nation
Khairul Alam, a resident of Cumilla’s Brahmanpara, who was sitting idle after his educational institution got shut down for the pandemic, changed his fortune and became a successful farmer through his hard work and perseverance.
Khairul, the student at the Bhol Dighi Kamil Madrasa in Shahrasti upazila in Chandpur, first took a 50 decimal land on a slope of a nearby hill bordering his house in Cumilla and started farming Bari Hybrid-4 variety of summer tomatoes in 2020.
He made a good profit from the newly introduced hybrid summer tomatoes.
“This year, I cultivated tomatoes on 150 decimal land investing Tk 5,00,000 and hope for a yield worth Tk 20,00,000 this season,” he told The Business Post.
“I have earned a profit of Tk 50,000 by selling my tomatoes at the beginning of this season. If prices and weather conditions remain favourable, I am expecting to make a massive profit this year.”
“I came to know from Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources that grafted tomato plants are water tolerant and give a high yield. That is why I decided to grow tomatoes using the grafting technique, he said, explaining his journey as a farmer.”
Summer tomato cultivation requires a bit high land for protection from water stagnation, and the land beside my house was perfect for tomato cultivation, said Khairul.
According to the DAE sources, the seeds are sown by May-June, the saplings are transplanted after 25 days, and farmers can harvest tomato after 45 days. Within a week, it turns reddish and becomes ready for marketing.
“I can also harvest from the same plants again in the winter season,” Kahirul said.
Hearing the success of summer tomato cultivation, farmers from different areas visit Khairul’s plot and show much interest in cultivating the vegetables in their villages, he said.
One such youth, Jahirul Islam from Narayanpur village, told The Business Post that Khairul has become an inspiration for them.
“I never knew that an amateur farmer like Khairul could change his fortune from tomato farming and make a profit within one year of cultivation,” Jahirul said with astonishment.
“I am regularly visiting his farm and learning techniques so that I can build my tomato farm,” he added.
Nayim, another youth from the same village, said he and other people in the area used to buy tomatoes from the local markets at much higher prices.
“Now, I am thinking of cultivating tomatoes in my backyard,” Nayim said.
Brahmanpara Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Mahbubul Hasan told The Business Post that summer tomatoes have a great demand among people all over the country and many farmers, youth can benefit from its’ cultivation.
“We are regularly visiting Khairul’s farm and offering him necessary assistance. Seeing his success many people of the area already contacted us and we are ready to facilitate them with our expertise.”
