At least 50,000 farmers of different villages in the district have become self dependent by cultivating winter vegetables in fallow land this season.
Sources said the farmers of Sadar and Jamalganj upazilas cultivated vegetables on 26,000 hectares of land.
They prefer cultivating vegetables which they find more profitable. They are growing high-yielding vegetables like tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, pumpkin, radish and brinjal for commercial purpose.
After meeting local demands, different varieties of vegetables are sold in the capital and other parts of the country.
Tajul Islam of Gudigaon village said he cultivated brinjal on three bighas of land spending Tk15,000, and made a profit of nearly Tk50,000. He also planted pumpkin for Tk5,000 and earned Tk15,000. He said pumpkin is selling atTk20-25per piece in the local market.
Kafiluddin, a farmer of the village grew cabbage on seven bighas of land spending Tk160,000. Now, he is selling his produce at the local market for Tk25-30 a piece. He hopes to earn Tk3-4 lakh this season.
Amjad Hossain, another farmer of the village planted 22,000 heads of cauliflower at a cost of Tk130,000. He is now expecting a return of Tk2 lakh.
The farmers alleged that the Krishi Bank did not help them to cultivate the vegetables.
They also said the officials of Department of Agriculture Extension helped them by giving training and advice.
Abul Hashem, deputy director of the office said: “We have advised the farmers how they can grow vegetables well.”
Many unemployed youths also have changed their lots by cultivating the vegetables.
Jamal Hossain of Purandigaon village said: “I had no work after passing HCS. But now I am self dependent by cultivating vegetables around my homesteads.” “DAE officials helped me in this regard,”he said.
Mariam Begum of the village said that her husband had to run the family doing the work of day labourer. Now they are self dependent by growing the vegetables. She said the government should help them by providing money, pesticide and fertilizer.