Fields across Chuadanga have produced a bumper cauliflower crop this winter vegetable season, and satisfactory prices have brought relief to farmers. Spending Tk 30,000-35,000 per bigha, farmers are selling their cauliflower for between Tk 80,000 and Tk 1.3 lakh, making a profit of up to Tk 50,000-70,000 a bigha. After last year's losses, they have a chance to get back on their feet.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the target for cauliflower cultivation in Chuadanga this year was set at 2,975 hectares. Traders say farmers are getting better prices than last time because the crop reached the market early and demand is good.

Mohammad Tarikul Islam, a farmer from Gaidghat village in Chuadanga Sadar upazila, said, "I spent Tk 40,000 growing cauliflower on 2 bighas and sold it for Tk 1.2 lakh. I lost money last year, and this year I have made it all back. If prices stay this good, I will grow cauliflower on more land."

Mohammad Hasanur Rahman, a farmer from Garabaria Baganpara, said, "I grew cauliflower on 7 bighas and sold it at Tk 1.1 lakh a bigha. After costs I made Tk 60,000-70,000 profit per bigha. Last year I sold at Tk 60,000-70,000. This year the price jumped by half a lakh taka in one go."

Young farmer Mohammad Arafat, who looks after his father's farm alongside his studies, said, "I grew cauliflower on 3 bighas. I sold one and a half bighas of early cauliflower at Tk 1.25 lakh a bigha. Ordinary cauliflower is now going for Tk 80,000-90,000. Even after costs I will make Tk 50,000-60,000 profit."

Mohammad Shahjan Ali, another farmer from Garabaria, said, "The weather was very favourable this time, so the yield was excellent. I sold early cauliflower for Tk 1.2 lakh. Costs were Tk 30,000-35,000 and I made Tk 60,000-70,000 profit. Last year's loss has been wiped out."

Moniruzzaman, a trader from Belgachhi village in Chuadanga Sadar, said, "Demand is fairly good this year compared with last time, and supply in the market is also higher. We wholesalers are able to sell better than the year before, and farmers are getting fair prices."

Masudur Rahman Sarkar, deputy director of agriculture for Chuadanga district, said, "Chuadanga is one of the main vegetable-producing districts. This time the target for winter vegetables was 8,640 hectares and 7,228 hectares have been cultivated, of which cauliflower is 1,494 hectares. The yield is good and so are the prices. Farmers are making a profit, and we are giving them regular technical support."

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