Interest in growing vegetables with modern mulching is rising day by day in Babuganj upazila of Barishal. Because it gives higher yields at lower cost and in less time, young farmers are turning to the method. Production costs are falling and the prospects for safe, chemical-free vegetables are brightening.

According to the upazila agriculture office, vegetables are now grown with mulching on about 3 hectares in the upazila, including cucumber, papaya, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, snake gourd and yardlong bean. Agriculture department data show the method is cutting production costs and raising yields, which has made it more widely accepted among farmers.

Mulching is a modern farming method in which the beds are covered with a special plastic sheet or organic material, holes are made at set distances and seeds or seedlings are planted in them. Soil moisture is kept for longer, weeds spread less and less irrigation and fertiliser are needed. Attacks by diseases and pests are also largely kept under control. As a result, production costs fall and yields rise.

Young farmer Rakibul Islam of Lakutia in Chandpasha union set up an integrated farming project using mulching alongside his studies. On just 40 decimals, he has had notable success growing snake gourd, yardlong bean, tomato and other vegetables and raising tomato seedlings.

"This season I have earned more than Tk 1 lakh selling snake gourd and yardlong bean," Rakibul said. "Because production costs are low, profits have risen. Next season I plan to grow vegetables with mulching on a bigger scale."

Another Babuganj farmer, Shamim, said: "Very few weeds grow with mulching, so weeding needs less labour and money. Fertiliser use is also comparatively lower and less irrigation water is needed. The plastic mulch keeps the soil around the plants moist for a long time. Even in the heat of the sun the soil does not dry quickly, so the plants get enough moisture and yields rise. It is also easier to grow several crops on the same land."

Babuganj upazila agriculture officer Abdur Rouf told Jagonews24: "Mulching is a modern, environment-friendly and profitable method in farming. It reduces water waste, makes weed control easier and greatly reduces attacks by diseases and pests. And because less irrigation, fertiliser and pesticide is used, production costs fall. Farmers get higher yields and bigger profits at lower cost."

"Farmers' interest in mulching in Babuganj is growing steadily," he said. "The agriculture department is providing regular training, advice and technical support to spread it. If the use of this modern method expands further, vegetable production in the upazila will rise and farmers' incomes will change for the better."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.