Winter vegetables offer robust returns to Rajshahi farmers

Farmers throughout the Rajshahi division are leaning more and more towards cultivation of winter vegetables, as these offer robust returns, faster harvest, and less investment requirements compared to traditional crops.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Rajshahi divisional office, at least 39,372 hectares of cropland of four districts are now being utilised for winter vegetable cultivation.

Of these croplands, 15,362 hectares are in Rajshahi, 8,230 hectares in Naogaon, 10,436 hectares in Chapainawabganj, 5,344 hectares in Natore, says Sirajul Islam, additional director of Rajshahi divisional DAE.

“The farmers earn twice or thrice as much profit from vegetables than other crops. Vegetables produced in Rajshahi are exported abroad after fulfilling the demands of this district and the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Natore DAE’s Deputy Director Mahmudul Faruque said this season, peas were cultivated on 968 hectares of cropland, brinjal in 519 hectares, lima beans on 358 hectares, red spinach on 287 hectares, radish on 291 hectares, bitter melon on 307 hectares, cauliflower on 215 hectares, bottle gourd on 255 hectares, spinach on 231 hectares, tomato on 198 hectares, squash on 3.13 hectares of cropland in Natore.

“Thousands of farmers in all seven upazilas of the district are focusing on cultivating winter vegetables. They are getting good returns as these crops have a high demand in the market.”

During a recent visit to these areas, farmers were seen busy tending to their crops with the expectation of a massive yield.

Md Selim, a farmer of Arani Bakla area of Lalpur upazila, Natore, told The Business Post that he cultivated brinjal on 12 kathas of cropland. “I have made a profit of Tk 12,000 last year. I am expecting that this year my profits will go up even further,” he added.

Md Mintu, another farmer of the area, said he cultivated carrots on three bighas of land and radish on two bighas of land.

“Last year, I had invested Tk 12,000 and earned Tk 40,000 from the sale of radish. Besides, I had invested Tk 55,000 in cultivating carrots and earned Tk 1,00,000. As the prices are good this year, I am expecting hefty profits this year as well,” he added.