Gazipur farmers' turn to Pui spinach cultivation

 

Farmers in Gazipur�s Kaliganj upazila are increasingly taking up pui spinach (Basella alba) farming due to its high market demand and ease of cultivation. This leafy vegetable has become a reliable source of income, inspiring more farmers in the region to follow suit.
 
For over a decade, a housewife Sufia Begum from Chupair village in Jamalpur union has been cultivating pui spinach which has transformed her family's fortunes. Her success has drawn farmers from nearby villages seeking advice on pui spinach farming.  

Sufia shared that her family of four, including her husband Momen Dewan and two sons, relies entirely on agriculture. Her husband supplements their income by using a tractor to plow both their own and rented lands. Encouraged by her husband, Sufia began pui spinach cultivation, and after successive profitable harvests, expanded her farming. 

�With around 40 decimals of land, I have been cultivating pui spinach for the last 10 years. If the cultivation costs about 50,000 Taka, and there are no natural calamities, I can earn between 1 to 1.5 lakh taka,� she said.

 Sufia's success has motivated neighboring farmers to explore pui spinach cultivation. Manjur Hossain, a farmer in his forties, observed, �Sufia Begum�s spinach fields are thriving and she's made a good profit this year. I plan to start cultivating pui spinach next year, Inshallah.� 

Similarly, Imran Ali Moral, another farmer, expressed his intention to cultivate pui spinach on at least half a bigha of land after witnessing Sufia�s success.

Akhtaruzzaman, Assistant Plant Protection Officer of Kaliganj, highlighted the growing adoption of pui spinach cultivation by local farmers. �Farmers here have mastered pui spinach farming and the production has increased significantly. The spinach not only meets local market demands but is also transported daily to Dhaka and other parts of the country,� he said.

Kaliganj Upazila Agriculture Officer, Farzana Taslim, emphasized the nutritional value of pui spinach, stating, �A healthy person should consume 200 grams of vegetables daily, with 100 grams each of leafy greens and other vegetables. Pui spinach is a popular choice for its nutritional benefits.�

She noted that the cultivation method is simple, with farmers either growing it on the ground or using trellises. However, challenges like leaf spot disease are common. �The agriculture office regularly provides guidance to address such issues,� she added.

With its increasing popularity among farmers and consumers, pui spinach cultivation is not only boosting farmers� incomes but also contributing to the region�s agricultural diversity. By adopting sustainable practices and receiving support from agricultural authorities, the farmers of Gazipur are turning pui spinach into a key economic crop.