800 Kurigram  farmers turn Mirer Bari into vegetable hub

RAJARHAT, KURIGRAM, Sept 11: Around 800 farmers in Mirer Bari Village of Rajarhat Upazila in Kurigram are involved in vegetable farming, with the produce helping drive the local rural economy.

From early morning, farmers in the fields of Chhinai Union work on their vegetable plots, removing weeds, tending crops and harvesting produce. The fields remain green throughout much of the year with crops including eggplant, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, beans, cabbage and cauliflower.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the vegetable cultivation target in Rajarhat Upazila was 760 hectares in the last fiscal year. Of this, 400 hectares were cultivated in Mirer Bari alone, accounting for around 53 percent of the upazila's target.

The village has around 800 farmers directly involved in vegetable cultivation.
Farmers said the village's loamy soil and relatively elevated farmland are suitable for vegetable cultivation. As water does not remain stagnant for long, the land produces good yields of different seasonal vegetables.

Growing market demand and better returns have also encouraged many farmers to switch from rice to year-round vegetable cultivation.
Farmer Jaherul Islam said he cultivates vegetables throughout the year.

“The soil here is very fertile. We can get a good yield with relatively little fertiliser, and the profit is also good,” he said.
He said he spent around Tk 80,000 to cultivate cabbage on 50 decimals of land and cauliflower on another 60 decimals. If the yield is good, he expects to sell the vegetables for around Tk 2 lakh.

He also spent Tk 20,000 cultivating turmeric on 40 decimals and expects to sell the produce for around Tk 1 lakh.
However, farmers said they face several challenges, including difficulties in obtaining fertiliser and rising pesticide prices.
They alleged that they often have to stand in long queues to buy fertiliser and sometimes do not receive the amount they need. Rising pesticide prices have also increased production costs.

Farmers' biggest concern, however, is the role of middlemen, whom they blame for depriving them of fair prices for their produce.
Local wholesaler Dulu Mia said vegetables from Mirer Bari are supplied not only to Rajarhat but also to different parts of the country.
He said vegetables bought from farmers at around Tk 30 a kilogram are sold for around Tk 50 in outside markets and at even higher prices at the retail level.

Rajarhat Upazila Agriculture Officer Tushar Kanti Roy said the vegetable cultivation target for Mirer Bari was 400 hectares in the last fiscal year, and the target was achieved.

Regarding the farmers' complaints about fertiliser shortages, he said there was currently no fertiliser shortage.
“Fertilisers are being supplied to farmers in phases according to their needs under the supervision of sub-assistant agricultural officers,” he said.