Chilli farming set to change fortunes of char farmers in Jamalpur 

JAMALPUR, Oct 24: Farmers in the char areas of the district are dreaming of changing their fortunes by cultivating early-season chillies. 

Chilli cultivation is increasing due to favourable weather and suitable soil. Farmers are happy as they are getting good yield and fair prices in the market. This was seen during a visit to several villages in Madarganj Upazila of the district.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the target for chilli cultivation in the upazila was set at 750 hectares this season. However, chillies have already been cultivated on 1,050 hectares, which is 300 hectares more than the target. Of the total area, 300 hectares are under early-season chilli cultivation. Besides, farmers have cultivated chillies on 25 hectares using the polythene mulching method.

Among the different varieties, Moynamoti, Green Super, Naga Fire, Bijli, Green Star, Super and Premium are widely cultivated. The agriculture department expects the cultivation area to increase further this season.

During a field visit, it was found that green chillies have started growing on the plants. Some farmers were harvesting chillies, while others were taking care of their crops. Some were also spraying pesticides on their fields. Harvesting has already started on the 300 hectares of land under early-season cultivation. Women are also working alongside men to harvest chillies.

Haider Ali, a chilli farmer from Fuljor area under Jorkhali Union, said green chillies were selling at Tk 80 to Tk 90 per kg in the wholesale market. The retail price was Tk 120 per kg.

“I have cultivated chillies on one-bigha land and have already sold chillies worth Tk 60,000. My production cost has so far been around Tk 30,000. If market prices remain favourable, I hope to sell chillies worth Tk 1 lakh to Tk 1.5 lakh from this land,” he said.

Abdul Khalek Islam, another chilli farmer, said he had cultivated chillies on three-bigha land using the polythene mulching method. He has grown the Moynamoti variety, and flowers have started appearing on the plants.

He said the cost of chilli cultivation had increased compared to last year as farmers were spending more on land preparation, irrigation, seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, transport and labour. They were also facing additional difficulties in collecting fertilisers.

Ratan Mia of Sukhnagari Village under Balijuri Union said he had cultivated early-season chillies on 34-decimal land. The yield was good, and harvesting had already started. He said he was getting good prices in the wholesale market and had sold chillies at Tk 3,200 per maund.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Habibur Rahman said that chilli cultivation had exceeded the target this season. As a result, green chilli production in the upazila could exceed 42,000 metric tons.

He said the chillies were being supplied to Dhaka, Narayanganj and other districts across the country after meeting the local demand. 

He added that incentives had been provided to more than 200 farmers to encourage chilli cultivation. The agriculture department is also providing farmers with necessary advice and technical support to expand chilli cultivation using the polythene mulching method.