Babor Ali has changed his fortunes by growing an improved variety of radish in Magura. He grows radish on 2 bighas of his own land in Dashna village of Raghabdair union in Sadar upazila. He has already sold more than Tk 1 lakh worth and says he will be able to sell more than Tk 2 lakh more.

Farmer Babor Ali said: "For two years I have been growing improved radish alongside other vegetables in the Rabi season, and I have made a good profit. With labour and proper care, it is ready to sell just 25 days after sowing. Within 35 to 40 days each radish weighs about 1 kg. Growing radish on 2 bighas cost me only Tk 35,000, and I have already sold more than Tk 1 lakh worth. The radishes still in the field will fetch more than Tk 2 lakh."

"Radish farming is easy and profitable," he said. "I made a profit growing radish on my own land last year too. Radish needs very little fertiliser and pesticide. If you collect good-quality seed, keep the field weed-free and irrigate properly, you can make a profit. Selling radish from the field, I cover my household costs and the education of my three children, and I can even save extra money."

Sadar upazila agriculture officer Humayun Kabir said: "This Rabi season the vegetable production target in Sadar upazila is 1,710 hectares. No separate target was set for radish. But because radish has low production costs and high profits, farmers have become interested. The agriculture department is also providing good seed, visits and various advice."

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