Gourd farming boon for growers in Bogra

Gourd cultivation has now-a-days become a boon for the farmers of the district.

Farmers of Shibganj, Sadar, Sonatola, Shajahanpur, Dhunat, Sariakandi and Dupchanchia upazilas are earning good profit by cultivating gourd.

Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Bogra, said around 1,200 hectares of land have been brought under gourd cultivation this year, with Shibganj, Gabtoli, Sadar and Shajahanpur upazilas being the biggest producers of the vegetable.

On a visit to the wholesale market for vegetables in the district recently, this correspondent saw a large number of vehicles loaded with gourds of different sizes. Wholesale buyers from different areas of the country were buying the vegetable for selling in the capital and other cities and towns of the country.

Goard cultivator Amanur Rahman, 42, of Nandipur in Sadar union under Shibganj upazila, said that he started harvesting gourd from his land one month ago, and will continue for two more months.

He is selling 100 gourds at Tk 1,500-Tk 1,800, and expects to earn over Tk 50 thousand from his 1.75 bighas of land, he added.

Haidar Ali, 70, of Dayaigram village, said he has been cultivating gourds for 45 years, and hoped to earn at least Tk 50 thousand from his 1 bigha of land.

Wholesaler Asadul Islam, 30, of Tepagari area in Roynagar union under the upazila, said he buys 100 gourds for Tk 1, 500-Tk 1,700, and spends at least Tk 5 per gourd for transportation to the capital and other cities.

Another buyer, Abdur Rahim, 25, of Boterbazar area in Shekerkola union under Sadar upazila, said his father has been doing this business for 43 years, and now he has been conducting the paternal business for eight years. He carries the vegetables to Chittagong in his own truck, he added.

Farid Uddin, deputy-assistant agriculture officer of DAE, Bogra, said they provided the high-yield seeds and gave suggestions to the farmers on the use of insecticides, fertilizers and pheromone-traps. This ensured best quality and expected production of gourd.