Researchers from the horticulture department of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), led by Professor Harun-or-Rashid, have given carrot seed and training to 50 farmers to spread coloured carrot growing on the chars of Gaibandha, Agricare24 reports. The programme took place on the afternoon of Friday (9 October) on a Brahmaputra char in Kamarjani union, Gaibandha Sadar.
With funding from the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) and under BAU's research management, the team is studying 40 carrot varieties and germplasm lines. The aim is to select varieties suited to char soil and weather, raise yields and spread modern cultivation methods in the field.
Professor Harun-or-Rashid said that last year Amin Mia and Toslim Mia grew improved carrots and produced seed on 30 decimals of their fallow land on the Kamarjani char. Their experience is now being used to show 50 more farmers what carrots can offer. With the right varieties, modern methods and training, he said, carrots could be profitable on the chars.
Sadar upazila agriculture officer Rakibul Alam was chief guest. Those involved hope that if the research results are applied in the field, coloured carrots will spread to Kamarjani and other Gaibandha chars, putting fallow land to use and giving char farmers another source of income.
Photo: Stephen Ausmus / Wikimedia Commons (public domain); carrots of many colours
Source: Agricare24
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