It is peak season for vegetable seedlings at Samespur in Burichang upazila, Cumilla, as winter approaches. Growers have set a target of Tk 50 crore in sales this season from seedlings raised on about 15 to 20 acres.
The nurseries begin just past the Rani Moynamoti bungalow. From dawn, growers prepare seedbeds, tend and water the plants. Inside small polythene-covered tents, seedlings grow in coco peat in trays set out on raised platforms, while buyers from far away bargain and load them onto vehicles.
At least 23 kinds of vegetable seedlings are raised here, including cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, aubergine, chilli, bean, bottle gourd, pumpkin and broccoli. Grower Abdul Kuddus said Samespur has produced seedlings since 1966, that they go to at least 34 districts, and that about 150 families in the village are involved.
Another grower, Jahangir Hossain, said the target this season is at least Tk 50 crore and that work and sales run from morning to evening.
There are problems too. Farmer Mohammad Saiful Islam said seedlings are one of the biggest sources of income in Burichang after rice, but the agriculture office does not offer the support growers want, and more research is needed on good seed and soil. Growers said irrigation runs short in the main season, waterlogging damages seedlings in the monsoon, and getting quality seed and fertiliser and having soil tested are difficult.
Upazila agriculture officer Mst Afrin Akter said she had heard the growers' problems, would report them to higher authorities and promised the necessary steps.
People involved say that with government support, modern technology and the right facilities, Samespur's seedling trade could grow further, raising farm incomes and helping the country's vegetable output.
Photo: Agoetee 123 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source: Dainik Bangla
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