Banana farming is growing in Bheramara, Kushtia, because it costs little and carries relatively low risk from natural disasters, and the area’s Nepali Sagar bananas are gaining a name across the country. Young agricultural entrepreneur Md Asif Awal Utsho of Kazihata village in Dharampur union has become well off growing the variety commercially on 25 bighas, using saplings from Madhupur in Tangail.
His first crop last year yielded well, and the large bunches and attractive fruit caught traders’ eyes, so this year he expanded the plantation. Most of his plants are now bearing fruit, and people from nearby villages come to see the plantation and ask his advice. Other young people in the area are becoming interested too.
“One planting gives three harvests. This year I planted 25 bighas of Nepali Sagar. The fruit is big, tasty and a nice colour, so demand is high in every district. On the first crop I made double my costs, and the land will give two more harvests,” he said. Besides Nepali Sagar he grows Sabri, Champa, Chini Champa and G9 bananas.
Local farmer Abdur Razzaq said rice brings very little profit, while bananas earn about twice the cost, so many people are taking them up, and the plantations also create jobs. Jahangir Alam, who tends the plantation, said his main job is propping plants with bamboo so they do not bend or break under the wind or the weight of the bunches.
Sub-assistant agriculture officer Md Sadrul Islam said banana farming has increased in Bheramara because it pays, and the agriculture office keeps in regular touch with Utsho, who supplies bananas to Dhaka and other districts. Upazila agriculture officer Mosammat Mahmuda Sultana Poly said field staff are helping banana farmers and advising them not to use carbide or toxic sprays.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report