Agricultural entrepreneur Mahmud Al-Imran, 48, has found success growing bitter gourd in Bheramara, Kushtia, using the environment-friendly mulching method and pheromone traps. Using technology-based methods on one bigha of land, he has already harvested 1,094kg. With costs down and good prices in the market, the farmer is also hoping for a profit.
Imran has grown bitter gourd this season in the Gorosthanpara area of Ramchandrapur village in Dharmapur union of the upazila. He is the son of Md Safar Uddin.
Imran said: “On one bigha of land, the Agro One Leader variety of bitter gourd starts yielding within 40 to 50 days of planting the seedlings. Because plastic sheet is used on the land for mulching, weeds stay under control and the soil stays moist for a long time. Using pheromone traps also makes it possible to keep harmful insects under control.”
He said he has spent about Tk 48,000 to Tk 50,000 on the one bigha. He has already picked 1,094kg of bitter gourd in five rounds, and has earned about Tk 65,000 by selling it in the local market at about Tk 60 a kg. If the weather stays favourable, he hopes to sell bitter gourd worth about Tk 3 lakh over the whole season.
Md Saiful Islam, sub-assistant agriculture officer in Bheramara, said: “Excessive rain, drought, waterlogging, weeds, pests and diseases, and extra labour costs are major challenges for farmers every year. The mulching method can play an effective role in dealing with these problems. It makes it possible to retain soil moisture, control weeds, save irrigation water and reduce labour costs.”
He added: “Mahmud Al-Imran has grown bitter gourd on one bigha in the Ramchandrapur area using the mulching method and pheromone traps for the first time. Seeing his success, other farmers in the area are also becoming interested in the method.”
Md Monirul Islam, upazila agriculture extension officer in Bheramara, said: “Agriculture officers at field level regularly visit farmers’ plots and advise them on preventing pests and diseases and on the balanced use of fertiliser. Farmers are being encouraged to use modern technology so that they can produce safe vegetables at low cost and benefit financially.”
He said: “There is extra demand in the market for bitter gourd produced with pheromone traps and mulching. Mahmud Al-Imran’s one bigha of bitter gourd has already given a profitable yield.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report