Over 50 farmers of Amadi union in Khulna’s Koyra upazila have benefitted from integrated fish and vegetable farming.
Due to the high level of water salinity in the area, crop cultivation is often difficult in the region. However, local farmers succeeded in cultivating vegetables on the banks of fish enclosures.
Many others in the area are becoming interested in integrated fish and vegetable farming inspired by their success.
During a recent visit to Amadi union, this correspondent saw that there are various vegetable gardens on the banks of fish enclosures in about 100 bighas of land.
Cucumbers, sponge gourds, bottle gourds and pumpkins are being cultivated on bamboo platforms over the fish enclosures. Okra, yardlong beans and various leaf vegetables such as red amaranth are being cultivated by the banks.
Some farmers even cultivated Aman paddy on their lands by the fish enclosures.
One such farmer named Abdul Kader once used to work as a day labourer. He learned about the integrated cultivation of fish and vegetables while in Dumuria upazila.
“While working as a field labourer there, I learned the proper integrated cultivation method. After returning home I leased three bighas of land as I did not own any land of my own back then,” he said.
The farm was a success and Kader started making a profit within the first. After seeing his success, many others started farming using this method.
“I have recently bought some land myself. This year, I am cultivating fish and vegetables on five bigha land. I can earn Tk six-seven lakh per year with a production cost of Tk 1.5 lakh,” he added.
He further said that the agriculture office supports them with advice and training as well as seeds and fertilisers.
Several people in the area including Abdul Aziz, Yasin Sana and Rafeza are now self-reliant due to integrated fish and vegetable farming.
According to the farmers, freshwater fish such as ruhi, glass carp, pangas, olive barn, batasio catfish and other species of fish are farmed in the area.
And on the banks of the enclosure, they cultivate various vegetables including yardlong bean, cucumber, sponge gourd, bitter gourd, aubergine, bottle gourd, beans, red amaranth, spinach, tomato and pumpkin. Farmers plan on cultivating watermelons next year.
Other than Amadi, the integrated farming method is becoming popular in Moharajpur and Bagali unions.
According to Koyra upazila Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), integrated cultivation of fish and vegetables has expanded in the area recently.
In FY22, 21,587 tonnes of vegetables were produced on 1,100 hectares of land in this upazila. And 31,064 tonnes of watermelons were produced in 895 hectares of land.
In FY23, 24,269 tonnes of vegetables were produced on 1,270 hectares of land. And 44,528 tonnes of watermelon was produced on 1,200 hectares of land.
Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of Amadi Union, Md Naemul Islam said various types of vegetables have been cultivated on one hundred bighas of land in the Naksha block under his jurisdiction.
“We always encourage the farmers as they apply modern farming methods to boost production. On one hand, they are becoming self-reliant and on the other, they are boosting the local agro-economy,” he added.
Koyra Upazila Agriculture Officer Ashim Kumar Das said vegetable cultivation by enclosure bank is very profitable.
“More people are becoming interested in integrated fish and vegetable farming nowadays. We try our utmost to help them in various ways,” he said.
