Farmers in Naogaon are profiting from good prices for early beans, which sell at Tk 150 to Tk 170 a kg wholesale and Tk 200 retail. But pests and rot on the plants have left growers worried.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), early beans have been grown on 350 hectares in the district: 171 hectares in Sadar upazila, 10 in Raninagar, 15 in Atrai, 10 in Badalgachhi, 3 in Mahadebpur, 8 in Dhamoirhat, 8 in Sapahar, 5 in Manda and 20 in Niamatpur. A likely target of 850 hectares has also been set for winter beans.

Across the fields of Naogaon Sadar upazila, bean trellises are covered with colourful flowers among green leaves and tender shoots; in places flowers have turned to buds and buds to beans. Early beans started reaching the market 15 days ago. The four-month crop costs about Tk 30,000 to Tk 35,000 a bigha, and sells for about Tk 80,000 to Tk 90,000 over the season.

Farmers say the lack of rain at the start of the season caused trouble, but the rain of the past few days has moistened the soil, and with a light chill and fog the crop has done well. They are busy tending it in hope of a good yield. But pests and rot on the plants have them worried: they must spray insecticide twice a week, and part of the profit goes on it.

At first only 3 to 5 kg can be picked per bigha, but within a few days farmers will start picking several maunds. With low output, prices are high, and farmers are profiting.

Khalilur Rahman, a bean farmer in Kasba village, Barshail union, Sadar upazila, said he grew early beans on one bigha. Over the past 10 days he picked 4 kg and sold them at Tk 180 a kg. Output is low now, so prices are good. He has to spray insecticide against rot, at a cost of about Tk 1,000 a week, but once output rises, spraying Tk 200 to Tk 300 of insecticide will be enough.

Azahar, another farmer in Gobindapur village, said he planted beans on two bigha. Seeds are sown around the 15th of Asharh, the plants start flowering in Bhadra, and sales run from Kartik to Chaitra. Cultivation costs Tk 30,000 to Tk 35,000 a bigha, and a season's sales come to about Tk 80,000 to Tk 90,000 a bigha. Prices are good at first, but when output is high beans sell for Tk 20 to Tk 30 a kg.

Habibur Rahman, a bean farmer in Dhopaipur village, said seeds were sown on 15 katha but were lost and had to be sown a second time. Because of drought the plants did not do well at first. A few rounds of rain recently moistened the soil, and with a light chill and fog the crop is now doing well. The plants have flowered but not yet started fruiting, so he cannot sell; the drought has delayed things, he said.

Monjuara Begum, a housewife in Balubhara village, Badalgachhi upazila, said beans were grown on 13 katha. A week ago 2 kg were picked and sold wholesale at Tk 170 a kg. A week later 5 kg were picked from the same land and sold at the same price. Prices are good now, and larger quantities will come in a few days, she said.

Md Abu Hossain, deputy director of the DAE in Naogaon, said early vegetables cost more money and labour, but farmers are profiting from good prices. Field-level agriculture officers are giving farmers full advice and guidance on controlling pests and diseases. Good prices for off-season and early vegetables will encourage farmers further, he said.

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