Bumper tomato yield brings smile to farmers

The tomato growers of Jamuna Basin areas of Sariakandi upazila under the district are delighted due to the bumper yield and good price of the popular winter crop.

The farmers of Jamuna basin areas in Phulbari, Narsi and Bhelabari unions of Sariakandi upazila are hopeful to recoup the losses due to recurrent floods during the last rains, said locals and agriculture office sources.

Sowing of the tomato seeds started early August this year and the seedlings were transplanted in the prepared lands after around 25 days, they said.

Mohidul Islam of Nayapara under Phulbari union said he planted 3,700 seedlings of Mintu variety of tomato on 33 decimals of land spending Tk 40 thousand this season. 

"I nourished the tomato field with great care following the suggestions of the agriculture officials. The vegetable grew well, weight of 2/3 tomatoes being around one kg. I started reaping it a few days ago. It is selling for Tk 3000-3200 per maund," he said.

Sirajul Islam and Sanaul Islam of the same village have cultivated tomato on 40 decimals and 66 decimals of land respectively.

They have started reaping the vegetable from their land and they are hopeful of getting good profit.

Agriculture officials provided suggestions to the grassroots level farmers, especially in the Jamuna basin areas, to help them get good yield and earn huge profit so that they can recoup their losses of their aman crops due to the recurrent three times flood two/three months ago, said Sariakandi Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Kamruzzaman.