Local farmers in Gopalganj are producing various kinds of vegetables on marshlands using a technique locally known as ‘dali’.
Farmers use bamboo sheds, nets and jute-sacks to make lofts and hang different vegetables, including gourd, pumpkin and cucumber. The marshland is prepared with organic fertilizer.
As part of a project for expansion and popularization of vegetable cultivation through lofts, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has facilitated farmers in vegetable cultivation at Puber Bil in Patgati Union Parishad. The marshland includes ancestral land of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s family as well.
A vast area in Tungipara Upazila of Gopalganj remains waterlogged most of the year. Thus this piece of land is usually fallow and uncultivated. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited her ancestral land in Puber Bil on January 7 this year and directed the local authorities to bring these marshlands under cultivation.
Former senior secretary Md Shahidullah Khandkar, with the help of the Agriculture Department, started cultivating in Puber Bil where Boro paddy was planted last season.
Project Director Dr. Vijay Krishna Biswas invented the method used in Puber Bil. He said that by installing branches and lofts, the farmer will get vegetable yield for 2 to 3 years. Then the bamboo used in farming can be taken out from there and used in other household activities. Vegetables produced by this method are safe for the human body. These vegetables are delicious to eat as well. In the future, local farmers will be encouraged to cultivate by this method, hoped the official.
Tapan Biswas of Zoaria village of Tungipara upazila, Samiul Fakir of Patharghata village, Madhumangal Das of Baladanga village and Amit Biswas of Baladanga village said that they have seen cultivation demonstrations in Dali method under the current project of DAE. This method does not require chemical-based fertilizers or pesticides, they added.
Tungipara Upazila Agriculture Officer Jamal Uddin said people found the project hilarious at first. But the yield has changed their mindsets.
DAE Deputy Director in Gopalganj MD A Quader Sardar said this is a pilot project and the farmers have got a good yield this year. This has created a lot of interest among other farmers.
Shahidullah Khandkar said in this regard: "Not even an inch of land will remain uncultivated in this area.”
The idea that there will be gourds in the season of gourds only—has changed. All kinds of vegetables and fruits are growing all year round in Gopalganj now, he added.