A Khalek of Minigari village in Khetlal upazila, Joypurhat, made a profit from growing bitter gourd on one bigha last year, thanks to its low cost and high returns. So this year he has grown it on two bighas. This season he has already sold Tk 1 lakh worth of bitter gourd and hopes to sell another Tk 1.5 lakh.

In various parts of the district, bitter gourds hang among green vines on trellises in the fields, some ripened to red. Every day, twice a day, farmers pick them and bring them to the roadside, where buyers purchase them. Farmers do not have to take the trouble of carrying the crop to market: wholesale buyers come to the fields.

Local improved varieties as well as BARI and hybrid varieties of bitter gourd are grown most in Munjhar, Minigari, Dashra, Bilerghat, Chowmuhani and Molamgari in Khetlal upazila; Dhalahar, Dugachhi, and Majhipara and Puranapoil in Bhadsha union of Sadar upazila; and Dharanji and Ratanpur in Panchbibi upazila.

Anisur Rahman, a farmer in Munjhar village, told Jago News: "This time I have grown bitter gourd on more land. With land preparation, fertiliser, seed, medicine and pesticide, it cost about Tk 30,000-35,000 a bigha. In the last fifteen days I have sold Tk 65,000 worth, and I hope to sell another Tk 40,000."

Golam Azam, a farmer in Minigari village, told Jago News: "Bitter gourd can be picked within 40-60 days of sowing, and harvested for more than a month. Each bigha yields up to 60-70 maunds. The cost is Tk 30,000-35,000 a bigha, and the crop can be sold for more than Tk 1 lakh."

Bitter gourd trader Milon Hossain told Jago News: "We buy bitter gourd here and send it to Dhaka, Chattogram and other parts of the country. Farmers benefit, and we make some profit too. Bitter gourd is now trading at Tk 1,500-1,600 a maund."

Sadia Sultana, additional deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), told Jago News: "Bitter gourd has been grown on 160 hectares in Joypurhat this year. Farmers have had good yields and are getting good prices."

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