Squash farming getting popularity
Faridpur DAE says eleven hectares of land in two upazilas have been brought under the cultivation this season
Squash, a foreign variety of winter vegetable is getting popularity among the farmers in Faridipur district.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Faridpur, 11 hectares of land in Nagarkanda and Boalmari upazilas have been brought under squash cultivation this year compared to three hectares last year.
Asutos Biswas, additional deputy director of DAE in Faridpur, said "Squash is native to Panama-Mexico. This is a kind of pumpkin. It is eaten as a vegetable, salad. The vegetable has the highest amount of minerals. Besides, there are various minerals including carbohydrates and proteins."
Miran Hossain, a squash grower of Chagoldi village in Nagarkanda upazila, said "I have cultivated squash on my 36 decimals of land this year spending Tk 5,000. I have collected seeds from Faridpur and sown the seeds in 13 beds in early November. I planted 600 yellow squash plants there."
"I have already sold the squash at Tk 15,000. I hope I will get more Tk 25,000 from selling squash. The squash plants look like sweet pumpkin plants. Squash is rich in vitamin and protein," added he.
Shariful Islam, another squash grower of Kamargram village in Boalmari upazila, said "I have brought 14 hectares of land under squash cultivation for the first time spending Tk 8 lakh. I hope I will sell squash at Tk 18 lakh."
Md Tutul Mollah, a labourer of Shariful Islam's squash field, said Shariful is the first farmer who cultivates squash in their area. Around 10,000 squash plants have been planted on 14 hectares of land.
"We are selling a squash at Tk 20-35 from our field. Vegetable traders from different areas come here to buy squash," he added.
Zahir Hossain, a resident of Baotipara village in Nagarkanda upazila, said "I ate squash for the first time this year. It is very tasty to eat fried."
DAE official Asutos Biswas said, "Squash cultivation is increasing day by day in Faridpur district. And being a non-toxic vegetable due to its cultivation method, it is becoming more popular. We are motivating farmers to cultivate squash as the vegetable farming brings profit to growers."