Early cauliflower, cabbage and other winter vegetables have been planted on 203 hectares in Dimla upazila of Nilphamari this season. Farmers are busy watering and tending their fields, and with favourable weather the crop looks good so far.
The vegetables can be sold 70 to 75 days after sowing, which is why local farmers grow early brassicas every year in hope of a quick profit. In many areas the first early cauliflower and cabbage are already being picked and sold, and growers say prices are good.
Costs are up this year, though: fertiliser, seed and labour all cost more. Farmers hope that if the market holds, they will cover their costs and still make a profit.
Dimla's early vegetables meet local demand and go by truck every day to Dhaka and other large markets. Wholesalers often buy straight from the field for cash, so growers have no trouble selling.
Abu Taleb, Arman Ali and Swapan Mia of South Sundarkhata village in Balapara union said they are busy planting seedlings and looking after them in hope of good prices for early vegetables.
Dimla upazila agriculture officer Mir Hasan Al Banna said farmers are turning to early vegetables because they expect good demand and prices this season, and the sub-assistant agriculture extension officers are working in the field to help them profit.
The report is by Krishi Shomoy's Nilphamari correspondent.
Photo: Buddy431 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0); a cauliflower plant beginning to form its head.
Source: Krishi Shomoy
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