Vegetables cultivated in Narayanganj's Sonargaon upazila, are being exported to the Middle East and Europe, sparking significant interest among local farmers in vegetable cultivation.
Farmers in Sonmandi and Baidyerbazar unions have been increasingly drawn to vegetable farming due to its high profitability. Many are utilizing not only their farmland but also spaces between litchi and papaya orchards for growing vegetables.
Among the other unions of the upazila, Sonmandi union leads in vegetable farming, particularly in winter when bottle gourd cultivation dominates. While export-quality vegetables are sourced from various unions of Sonargaon, the highest volume is exported from Sonmandi and Baidyerbazar unions during the winter season. This has enabled local farmers to achieve financial stability and improve their livelihoods.
In Sonmandi's villages such as Mogbazar, Nazirpur, Darikandi, Banglabazar, and Noyakandi, as well as Baidyerbazar's Haria, Ulukandi, and Khongsardi, both summer and winter vegetables are cultivated. The exported produce includes over 50 varieties, such as spinach, bottle gourd, long beans, bitter gourd, pumpkins, eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, green chili and coriander leaves. These vegetables are regularly sent to countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the UK.
Farmers have expressed satisfaction with fair prices for their exported produce, which has helped them become more self-reliant. Moreover, the export process has generated employment opportunities for those involved in vegetable cultivation and related activities. Women also play a significant role in assisting with farming operations.
SM Jahangir Hossain, a vegetable exporter from Sonargaon, explained that their organization, 'Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables, and Allied Products Exporters Association', facilitates the export of vegetables worth approximately tk 600–800 crore annually. Vegetables are collected from farms, taken to warehouses in Old Dhaka's Sutrapur for grading, sorting, cutting, and packaging, and finally transported to airports for shipment.
The export process has created jobs at every stage, from farming to packaging. Many new entrepreneurs are showing interest in joining the vegetable export industry due to its profitability.
Farmers like Mubarak Hossain and Shah Newaz from Sonmandi union noted that while local markets often fail to offer fair prices, exported vegetables fetch better prices due to their superior quality. Farmers focus on producing export-grade vegetables to meet international standards.
Similarly, Alom Chan, a farmer from Baidyerbazar, emphasized the importance of timing, stating that he starts cultivating vegetables early in the season to secure better prices.
Sonargaon Upazila Agriculture officer, Afroza Sultana, told that the region's proximity to Dhaka makes it convenient for exporters to source vegetables. Additionally, the pest-free quality of Sonargaon's produce has significantly boosted its demand in international markets. The agriculture office has been actively working on pest management, ensuring high-quality vegetables for export.
This successful model of farming and exporting has not only brought financial stability to farmers but also enhanced the region's reputation as a hub for high-quality vegetable production.
