Farmer Raju Ahmed, 40, of Nawabganj in Dinajpur sees hope of success in growing an early variety of Kerala beans. He planted 133 bean plants on just 20 decimals of land and has already started harvesting. His plants are now laden with clusters of beans, which sell at Tk 60 a kilogram in the market. If the weather holds, he expects to keep harvesting for the next three months, and hopes to make a profit if prices stay good.
Raju Ahmed, of Maldah village in the Panchgachhi block of Daudpur union in the upazila, has built his bean trellis using an unusual technique rather than the traditional method. He says it makes picking beans and tending the plants easier. Once the bean season ends, he plans to grow gourds on the same trellis, hoping to produce the next crop on the same structure without extra cost.
He said preparing the land, planting seedlings, care and other costs for the 133 Kerala bean plants on 20 decimals have come to about Tk 30,000 so far. He began expecting a harvest within 50 to 55 days of planting, and has already picked once. The plants now carry plenty of beans, which he is selling at Tk 60 a kilogram.
Raju Ahmed said: “I built the trellis a little differently from the usual method. It makes picking the beans and caring for the plants easier. I grew these beans with advice and help from the agriculture office. The plants are now full of clusters of beans, and I have already harvested once. I hope to keep harvesting for the next three months. If I get a fair price, I can make a profit. When the bean season is over, I plan to grow gourds on the same trellis.”
Local farmer Sohel Rana said: “Growing new vegetable varieties on small plots can give farmers extra income. If the next crop can be grown on the same trellis, land and inputs will be used better. But for a good yield and profit, proper care and market prices both matter.”
Nawabganj upazila agriculture officer Zahidul Islam said: “Early vegetable varieties, especially summer beans, have great potential. Under the Dinajpur region sustainable agriculture development project, summer bean varieties such as Kerala and IPSA are being grown in Nawabganj upazila. Because they come early, these beans fetch good prices. The upazila agriculture office is giving regular advice and support, and will continue to do so.”
Agriculture experts say that growing early vegetables and rotating different crops on the same trellis can open new possibilities for farmers. But Raju Ahmed’s actual profit will depend on his total output, production costs and market prices.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report