Young agri-entrepreneur Mohammad Mamun has succeeded in growing broccoli in Mirsarai, Chattogram. The nutritious vegetable costs very little to grow and has many health benefits, so others like Mamun are becoming interested in it. This year, under the SACP project, broccoli of the Green Crown variety has been grown on 5 acres in the upazila through three demonstrations.

According to the upazila agriculture office, 15 farmers have grown broccoli on 5 acres as demonstrations this season. Growers say broccoli sells at better prices than other vegetables. Farmer Mohammad Mamun, son of Joynal Abedin of Purba Moliaish in Dakshin Mithala in the upazila, is seeing success after growing broccoli on 50 decimals under a demonstration from the agriculture office.

On a visit, it was learnt that Mamun planted 1,500 broccoli seedlings on about 50 decimals of his own farmland and had great success. With favourable weather the yield was good, and some heads weighed 700-800 grams. They are selling in the market at Tk 40-50, with prices varying by size.

Mamun's father said: "The upazila agriculture officers gave us various advice on growing broccoli. If we could get a higher selling price, we could make more profit."

Mamun said: "Last year I grew broccoli on a small patch for our own family. The yield was very good, so I planned to grow it commercially. With a demonstration from the upazila agriculture office, I grew it on 50 decimals. The yield is good. It cost Tk 14-15 thousand, and I hope to sell Tk 40-50 thousand worth."

He said: "People today are not very familiar with broccoli, and buyers are often not interested. But those who know about broccoli are different; they pay more than the set price. If ordinary people got to know it, it would be possible to sell at good prices and double the profit."

Mirsarai upazila agriculture officer Protap Chandra Roy said: "Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable. It contains anti-cancer compounds and various vitamins that are very good for our bodies. Although many people do not know broccoli, there is reasonable demand. Alongside cultivation, we are holding field days to market it and bring it to people, and discussing its benefits and other matters in public. We hope cultivation will increase further."

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