Home ›› 13 Oct 2021 ›› Nation
Farmers in Ichakuta village of Moulvibazar have seen tremendous success by cultivating high-yielding bottle gourd, locally known as Lau Maria, in fallow lands.
Some farmers claimed that favourable weather and high-yielding bottle gourd seeds led to a huge harvest this season.
Murtuza Ali, a farmer from Ichakuta village, for the first time has cultivated the hybrid bottle gourd in his land and seen the face of success.
Other farmers, including the unemployed youths of the village, are also being encouraged to cultivate bottle gourd after seeing his success.
He said, “I have planted hybrid bottle gourd on six decimals of land. The plants bore flowers and fruits after 50 days, and the fruits became mature for harvesting.”
Each gourd in his land weighs 1.5-2kg, and he sells it for Tk 40-45.
The production of hybrid bottle gourd per bigha is 18-20 tonnes.
Murtuza said, “I spent only Tk 5,000 on cultivation and have already sold bottle gourds worth Tk 15,000. In the harvesting season, I will be able to sell for three consecutive months and earn about Tk 1 lakh.”
Other farmers are also showing interest and planning to cultivate the hybrid variety of bottle gourd.
Lal Tir Seed Limited, a source company of hybrid Lau Maria seeds variety, is producing it on its own.
Tapash Chakraborty, divisional manager of the seed company, said, “Lau Maria is more productive and tolerant of the country’s climate. This variety is financially profitable for farmers and can be cultivated all year round.”
He also said, “Farmers should cultivate gourd on their empty land. We are restlessly working to spread new varieties of vegetables to farmers to increase vegetable cultivation.”
