Selina Akter of Kandi Kabilapara village in Kandi union, Pirgachha upazila, Rangpur, now earns 30,000 to 40,000 taka a month after costs from an acre of vegetables beside her home. Once struggling to make ends meet, she chose farming as her way out.
Her land produces vegetables in both winter and summer: bottle gourd, sweet pumpkin, aubergine, bitter gourd, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber and various leafy greens, with beans and other climbers hanging from rows of trellises. Because the quality is good, traders often buy straight from the field, saving her transport costs and trouble.
She told BSS she now sells 60,000 to 70,000 taka of vegetables a month. Local markets take the first share and the rest goes to wholesale sheds. The income keeps the household and pays for her only son's honours studies. Four to six men and women work on the plot each day.
Selina said she has cut chemical fertiliser and uses organic manure and vermicompost to grow vegetables free of harmful residues, which in her experience lowers costs while keeping yields good.
Sub-assistant agriculture officer Anwar Hossain said women's part in farming is still limited in many villages, so her example could inspire others. Upazila agriculture officer Nilufa Yasmin said the office gives such women farmers the advice and support they need.
Aminul Islam, a local high school teacher, said that with timely advice, better seed, help with pests and diseases, and marketing support, small and medium farm entrepreneurs like Selina could go further.
Photo: bottle gourds (illustrative), Ton Rulkens / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Source: BSS
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