Commercial farming of capsicum, a foreign vegetable, has begun in Sonagazi in Feni. With favourable weather, suitable soil and help from the agriculture department, several farmers are growing it commercially.

According to the agriculture department, capsicum has been grown on about 1 hectare in Sonagazi upazila this season. As farmers are interested, demonstration plots have been set up on the land of two farmers: Abu Saeed Rubel, in the area of the Charchandia rice research institute, and Shahidullah, in North Charchandia in Ward 2 of the municipality.

Several farmers have also grown it commercially on their own initiative. With the weather favourable, growers expect a good yield in Sonagazi this year, and many nearby farmers are reported to be asking about the crop and planning to grow it next season.

Abu Saeed Rubel, a capsicum grower in Charchandia union, said capsicum is a popular and valuable vegetable all over the world. In Bangladesh it is also called sweet pepper (mishti morich).

Its popularity in Bangladesh is growing day by day. Capsicum comes in various sizes and shapes, but the fruit is generally round with a thick skin.

Although eating capsicum is not yet common in the country, it is gradually gaining favour, and there is strong demand in upmarket hotels and restaurants. Rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, it could also earn foreign currency through exports.

Local restaurant owner Ahmad Karim said restaurants use capsicum in salads and various upmarket dishes. Because there is no local supply, bringing it in from the capital and other districts is a hassle. If it is grown in Feni, local restaurateurs will get some relief, he said.

Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Pratap Chandra Nath said capsicum can yield up to about 3,500 kg a bigha. Green capsicum sells for Tk 150 a kg on the market, and red and yellow capsicum for Tk 350 a kg.

He said growing capsicum costs farmers about Tk 55,000 a bigha, and the produce of a bigha sells for about Tk 1.5 lakh, so farmers earn more than double.

Sonagazi Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Kazi Shafiul Islam said the soil of Sonagazi is highly suitable for capsicum. Farmers are being given demonstrations, seed and fertiliser to encourage them. If well-grown produce fetches a good price, he believes more farmers in these areas will turn to capsicum.

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