Farmers in all 12 upazilas of Tangail are profiting from growing vegetables in polynet houses, with tomatoes especially popular. Ruma Akter, a housewife from Namdarpur village in Sakhipur upazila, has made a striking success of polynet tomatoes, and many others now hope to follow. Pest attacks are almost absent, the climate inside can be controlled easily, and the agriculture department provides all-round support.

With government support, Ruma grew tomatoes in a polynet house on 4 to 5 decimals of land this season. While ordinary tomatoes sold at Tk 20 a kg, she sold hers at Tk 50 a kg; they were bright red, free of pest damage or spots, and tasted excellent. She spent Tk 15,000 to Tk 20,000 and has sold Tk 1.2 lakh worth so far.

"The yield was good and no pests attacked," she said. "Anyone can grow tomatoes this way at low cost." Local people said many in the area now want to change their fortunes by growing tomatoes.

According to the agriculture department, tomatoes were grown on 680 hectares in Tangail this season, producing 11,375 tonnes. Prices were low this year, but many farmers who planned their cultivation still made a profit.

Ashek Parvez, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Tangail, said the district has 12 polynet houses, one in each upazila. Farmers growing tomatoes this way are getting good prices, and many also grow tomatoes in summer in polynet houses and profit well. DAE is providing information and technical support for tomatoes and other vegetables in polynet houses.

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