Summer bean farming brings them solvency

Flowering plants of rupvan, an early variety of popular vegetable bean, spreading over a vast field in Ishwardi upazila under Pabna district offers a captivating sight. Harvested in the ongoing rainy season, the variety is now a profitable venture for many farmers in the area.Photo: STAR

Cultivation of rupvan, an early variety bean, has appeared as a profitable venture for many farmers in Ishwardi upazila, an area famous for growing the popular winter vegetable.
The farmers became interested in the summer season bean after the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) introduced it in Pabna district three years ago, said AI Shahin, development officer of the DAE, Pabna.
The variety is usually suitable for cultivation in hill areas but now it sees successful farming in plain land, he said.
A total of 1,350 hectares of land in Ishwardi upazila, including 800 hectares in Muladuli union alone, has been brought under bean cultivation this year, said farmers and DAE sources.
The cultivation area is about double of last year's.
Farmers of Muladuli, Faridpur, Sheikhpara, Ramnathpur, Majhgram are cultivating the early variety rupvan bean to get more profit, said Md Habibur Rahman, Ishwardi upazila agriculture officer.
During a visit to Muladuli vegetable market on Saturday, this correspondent learnt that 15 to 20 maunds of rupvan bean is sold there every day. The price is Tk 100 to 120 a kg now.
“Rupvan was cultivated during summer and we have already started harvesting it. The special variety bean goes to Dhaka and other districts across the country and sells for good prices due to its high demand," Aminur Rahman, a bean farmer of Muladuli union, said.
"The price will come down when supply becomes abundant within a few days. It will remain available in the market till October,” said Aminur, also a wholesaler at Muladuli.