Early winter vegetables farming on rise in Sylhet division

S A Shofiee,Sylhet :
Thousands of marginal farmers in Sylhet division are passing a busy time in preparing land for cultivating various kinds of winter vegetables.

An increase in demand has caused them to turn to farming the vegetables on a large area of land.

Early winter vegetables have come as blessings for farmers in Sylhet district, thanks to the favorable weather and timely initiative.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Jashore, this year, a total of 42 thousands hectares of land are being used to cultivate early winter vegetables.

Farmers have been busy cultivating the vegetables and are making good profit due to the high market price.

During a recent visit to the Raikail area under Jalal pur Union of Dakshin Surma upazila, this correspondent found farmers taking care of their cabbages, cauliflowers, beans, eggplants, ladies fingers, pointed gourds and radishes.

Vast areas in Dakshin Surma, Sadar, Biswanath, Jainta Companiganj and Khanaighat Upazila are brimming with the early varieties of winter vegetables.

Some farmer said they are now cultivating winter vegetables throughout the year as they have proven to be profitable.

They are also happy with the bumper yield of the vegetables.

Besides, the demand for early winter vegetables is high at the local markets as well as abroad, they added.

Although the prices of early winter vegetables are high, consumers are purchasing them nevertheless.

Agriculture officials are also providing advices to the farmers on a regular basis which helped them boost the production.

DD of Sylhet DAE Faruk Hussain, said that vegetables grown in Sylhet have high demand across the country and every year, farmers cultivate vegetables in two seasons – early winter and winter seasons.

He also expected an increase in the production of vegetables during winter.