Farmer Muslim Uddin has succeeded in growing squash in Mirsarai, Chattogram. He grew squash for the first time as a trial on 10 decimals of land beside his house in Katachhara union of the upazila. Every day or two he harvests and sells it in the local market, and many people come to buy it straight from the field.

Muslim Uddin is the son of the late Moulvi Main Uddin of Purba Katachhara village in Katachhara union, Mirsarai upazila. After passing his HSC, he chose farming as his profession.

A visit to the plot found the squash plants on the 10 decimals bearing fruit, each weighing from 500 grams to 1.5 kg. He tends the land with two workers. On the neighbouring land he has grown tomatoes, green chillies, cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal and other winter vegetables.

Muslim Uddin said: "I have been farming for six years and chose it as my profession. This time I grew squash on 10 decimals as a trial for the first time. I bought 180 seeds from Mithachhara bazar and sowed them, and succeeded the very first time. The land was already mulched, so it did not cost much, only Tk 3,000. I have already sold Tk 25,000 worth and can sell Tk 40,000 more."

He said: "One plant yields up to 10-20 kg. I have had talks with several superstores in Dhaka, and they will buy squash from me in future. So I have decided to expand the crop. I have also been growing early vegetables for six years. I started with early tomatoes on 5 decimals, and now I have tomatoes on 85 decimals. This year I have sold about Tk 2 lakh worth of tomatoes and can sell Tk 30,000 more."

Mirsarai upazila agriculture officer Pratap Chandra Roy said: "Muslim of Katachhara union is a very hard-working farmer. He always grows early vegetables and earns good profits. This time he has succeeded with squash. The agriculture office always gives him advice and various kinds of help."

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