It began as a trial. Farmer Kamal Sheikh, 50, started growing an improved chilli variety supplied by the agriculture office on just 10 decimals of land. But once the plants began to fruit, it no longer felt like just a "demonstration". With good prices at market, that small plot has become a promising source of extra income for him.

Kamal Sheikh farms in Chhailadi village, in the Chupair block of Jamalpur union, Kaliganj upazila, Gazipur. His mornings are now spent tending his chilli plants: sometimes weeding, sometimes checking the plants, sometimes picking ripe and green chillies into a basket. He then takes the chillies to the local market. Production in the field on one side, cash sales at the market on the other: together, they have left him well pleased.

Kamal Sheikh has farmed for a long time and grows various crops every year. But growing the super hot variety this year has been a somewhat different experience, because he is seeing on his own land that a new variety and modern technology can give a good yield and income even from a small plot.

Good prices and demand for green chillies in the market have added to his enthusiasm, and he plans to grow super hot chilli on more land next season.

"I am a farming man. If I can learn something new and put it to use on my land, that is a big reward for me," Kamal Sheikh said. "With help from the agriculture office I grew super hot chilli and got a good yield, and I am getting a good price at market too. This has encouraged me. Next year I want to grow chilli on a bigger scale."

His plot has become a point of interest for neighbouring farmers. Seeing such a crop of an improved chilli on only 10 decimals, many want to know how he grew it, how he looked after it and what the yield is like.

Sub-Assistant Plant Protection Officer Md Aktaruzzaman said: "The main aim of a demonstration plot is to show farmers the practical use of improved varieties and technology. The good yield of super hot chilli on Kamal Sheikh's land has created interest among local farmers. We are giving regular advice so that he gets the expected yield through proper care, including disease control."

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the super hot chilli demonstration was set up on Kamal Sheikh's land under the project for extending improved varieties and technology of spices. Its aim is to give farmers a practical understanding of how to grow improved chilli varieties, how to use modern technology and how to raise production.

Kaliganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahriar Morsalin Mehedi said: "If a successful demonstration can be created on a farmer's land, it becomes the most effective example for other farmers. The good yield of super hot chilli on Kamal Sheikh's land and the good price at market are certainly positive. Considering farmers' demand and market conditions, we will keep giving the necessary advice and technical support to expand improved varieties of spice crops."

Kamal Sheikh's 10 decimals are therefore no longer just a chilli field but a small field of possibility: more production from less land, production linked to the market, and the market linked to extra income for the farmer. That sum is now drawing him to grow chilli on more land next year.

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