Mulching method helps tomato farmers make fortunes

KAMALGANJ, MOULVIBAZAR, Oct 30: A young farmer in Kamalganj Upazila of Moulvibazar is expecting to earn around Tk 20 lakh from early-season tomato cultivation on six bighas of land, using the mulching method to reduce production costs and improve crop management.

Md Sadek Hossain, from the Dhaloi Tea Garden area of Madhabpur Union, has drawn the attention of local farmers with his success. Inspired by his experience, another 10 to 15 farmers in the area have cultivated tomatoes on 30 to 35 bighas of land this year.

Sadek said he spent around Tk 6�"7 lakh cultivating tomatoes this season. The crop can be harvested and marketed within 55 to 60 days of transplanting seedlings.

Tomatoes are currently selling at Tk 90�"100 per kg wholesale. With a good yield and prices higher than last year, he expects to sell tomatoes worth Tk 15�"20 lakh. However, his final profit will depend on the actual yield, market prices and production conditions during the remainder of the season.

“I cultivated early-season tomatoes on three bighas last year, spending around Tk 3 lakh. After deducting all expenses, I made a profit of Tk 8 lakh. Encouraged by that experience, I expanded the cultivation area this year,” he said.

“Mulching reduces costs, makes crop care easier and allows us to bring tomatoes to market out of season, when prices are better,” he added.

His farm employs 20 to 25 workers regularly. Male workers receive Tk 500 a day, while female workers are paid Tk 200, creating employment opportunities for local residents.

Sadek's field has also become a learning centre for farmers from different areas, who visit to learn about cultivation techniques, production costs, yields and marketing.

Under the mulching method, raised soil beds are covered with specialised plastic sheets, with holes made at specific intervals for planting seedlings. The covering helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds and reduce irrigation requirements. Properly designed beds and drainage systems can also help reduce water-logging risks.

However, quality seedlings, balanced fertiliser use, pest and disease management, proper irrigation and effective drainage remain essential for good yields. Farmers also need to collect and dispose of used plastic sheets responsibly to minimise environmental damage.

According to the Kamalganj Upazila  Department of Agriculture Extension (DoA) office, early-season tomatoes have been cultivated on 75 hectares in the upazila this year, up from 60 hectares last year. Around 490 farmers are involved in summer tomato cultivation.

BARI Tomato-8 and Mongol Raja are among the varieties being cultivated, alongside local varieties.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Rakibul Islam said early-season cultivation offered farmers an opportunity to obtain better market prices.

“Mulching helps retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth. It also makes it easier to protect plant bases and roots. The method is playing a positive role in summer tomato cultivation,” he said.

He added that the upazila DoA office was providing farmers with advice and support to increase production and improve profitability.

Farmers say early-season cultivation can be profitable because tomatoes often fetch higher prices before supplies increase during the regular season. However, returns depend on weather, production volumes, market supply and demand.