Rupban beans grown in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram are crossing the country's borders to Italy in Europe. By earning foreign currency, Sitakunda's farmers are contributing to the economy and raising the country's standing, and the early Rupban crop has brought smiles to farmers' faces.

Farmers in the upazila say: "The crop of our hard work is going by air to Italy in Europe. It is a matter of great joy and pride for us."

The upazila agriculture office said Sitakunda's Rupban beans are going to Italy for the first time, a big success for farmers. This season winter beans have been grown on 2,650 hectares, of which early Rupban beans cover 30 hectares.

Beans are grown across the upazila, from the foothills to the coastal embankment, along both sides of the highway and on field ridges. Farmers say, however, that Rupban beans yield more in hilly areas. Yields are highest in Baraiyadhala, the municipality, Barabkunda, Kumira and Banshbaria. Kartikota, Bata, Puti, Loitta and Churi beans are also grown in notable quantities.

Mohiuddin, a farmer in Banshbaria, said: "I have grown Rupban beans on about 250 decimals of land at a total cost of Tk 7 lakh. I expect to sell about Tk 15 lakh worth of beans from start to finish."

Farmer Md Solaiman said: "I have been growing beans in the hills for many years. This year I grew beans on 250 decimals of hill land and have sold about Tk 8 lakh worth so far. I have also grown gourds, yardlong beans, ridge gourds and other vegetables."

Farmers said that when Rupban beans first came in they sold them wholesale at Tk 160-170 a kg, and are still selling at Tk 130-140. Because the area is remote and hilly, production costs are somewhat higher, and farmers have to work hard, crossing streams, slippery paths and very high hillocks to reach the bean fields.

Hasan Shishir, a farmer of Idilpur village in the municipality, said: "There is an exporting company called La' Amre Impex at Jatrabari in the capital. They took 500 kg of beans from me at Tk 60 a kg. I have heard they are taking these beans to export to Italy for the first time."

The exporter's owner, Mohamudul Hossain, said: "For the first time we are sending 500 kg of beans from Sitakunda to Italy. We export various kinds of vegetables to different countries in Europe."

Upazila agriculture officer Mohammad Habibullah said: "About 47,000 tonnes of beans will be produced in the upazila this year, of which 300 tonnes are early Rupban beans. By exporting beans the country will earn lakhs of dollars and prosper, and the fortunes of local farmers will change."

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