Commercial soybean cultivation has begun in the Khulna region for the first time. The Department of Agricultural Extension has set a target of producing 26.25 metric tons from 17.5 hectares in Khulna and Bagerhat districts this season. The initiative has drawn strong interest from farmers, and officials expect the crop to be harvested by May if weather conditions remain favorable.
Khulna region Additional Director Rafiqul Islam said this was the first planned soybean cultivation program in the region. Farmers planted soybeans on 14 hectares in Khulna district and 3.5 hectares in Bagerhat district.
Department of Agricultural Extension officials said expanding soybean farming could create new economic opportunities for farmers and other residents. They expect demand for the crop to grow because soybeans are widely used in edible oil, animal feed and other industries.
Farmers, however, are concerned about the market. They fear that a business syndicate could make it difficult for them to receive fair prices and said a government program to buy soybeans directly from growers would benefit them. Debdas Sana, a farmer from Bainbaria village in Paikgachha upazila of Khulna, said: “We cultivated soybeans for the first time this year with encouragement from Khulna region Additional Director Rafiqul Islam. If the yield is good, we will cultivate more land next year.”
Islam said: “Soybeans have been cultivated on 17.5 hectares for the first time this season. The production target has been set at 26.25 metric tons. Farmers’ interest in growing the crop is increasing as the use of soybeans expands in industry and food production.” Agricultural experts said soybeans could become a promising cash crop in the Khulna region if the government provided support, promoted modern farming methods and ensured fair prices for the harvest.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report