Off-season gourd farming boon for her
A housewife of Tengrakhali village under Sadar upazila is very happy as she has been able to grow gourd during the off-season.
Shikha Rani planted 240 gourd plants on 30 decimals of land that she took from a neighbour on the agreement that he would get half of the total production of gourd. She planted the seeds about two months ago after preparing the land with organic fertilizer produced with cow dung and straw.
All the plants are now full of gourds and she has been selling the produce at Shially bazar for a week. She sells each gourd for Tk 40 on average, which is a good price as this is the off-season for gourd.
“I earn Tk 800 to Tk 1,000 per day by selling gourd with the help of my husband Ratan Chandra Das,” said Shikha.
“I am very happy now as the field is full of gourd and I am earning money by selling those,” said Shikha, adding that she can now contribute to her family as her husband is a day labourer.
“I can sell the crop for about two more months and then I will cultivate seasonal vegetables like korolla, brinjal, lal shak, in the next season,” she said.
“There is a good demand for gourd from my field as it is chemical-free,” said Shikha.
“I also cultivate fish in the ditch that was created while preparing the land and will sell those in the dry season, she said.
“I have a dream to educate my only daughter Swarna Rani, who is now studying in Class III,” she said.
Shikha's husband said he helps his wife in the farm and takes the vegetables to a nearby bazar daily.
Upazila Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Md Awal Mia said Shikha cultivated gourd during the off-season, adding that gourd is normally grown in the winter.
“I am providing technical support to Shikha for cultivation of different types of vegetables round the year,” he said.
Seeing Shikha's success, some local farmers have started cultivation of different seasonal vegetables and they are earning money, which is a very good sign for the agriculture sector, he added.
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