Farmers in Dumuria upazila of Khulna are expecting good profits from a bumper bean harvest this season, helped by favourable weather, improved cultivation methods, and guidance from agricultural officials.
Activity at Dumuria’s wholesale vegetable markets has increased since early morning as farmers bring their produce to market. With both yields and prices remaining favourable, bean growers are optimistic about earning profits more than their initial targets.
Sheikh Mahabur Rahman, a bean farmer from Tipna village in Kharnia union, said he cultivated beans on one bigha of land using modern methods. “Although I was initially concerned about the weather, proper care and advice from the sub-assistant agriculture officer helped ensure a good yield. Demand is also strong, and I expect to earn nearly twice my production costs,” he said.
Nurun Nahar, a sub-assistant agriculture officer for the Tipna block, said farmers across Kharnia union had been encouraged to produce safe, quality beans. “Farmers have been advised to use bio-pesticides and sex pheromone traps to control pests,” she said.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, bean varieties, including Lal Phul, Jora Langal, NSC+ and Early 45, are cultivated in the region, with Lal Phul being the most widely grown variety.
Beans are generally sown in the first week of July and harvested within 40-45 days. The average yield is about 6.6 maunds per bigha, while production costs range between Tk25,000 and Tk30,000 per bigha.
Beans previously sold for around Tk200 per kg, while the current market price is about Tk105 per kg. Farmers can earn roughly Tk130,000 from beans grown on one bigha of land.
Across Khulna district, beans have been cultivated on 243 hectares this season, with an estimated production of 5,539 tonnes.
Ali Hasan, sub-assistant plant protection officer in Dumuria, said farmers had been given advance guidance on preventing diseases and pests. “Timely use of balanced fertiliser and the absence of major disease attacks have helped produce better-than-expected yields,” he said.
Dumuria Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Nazmul Huda said the area had significant potential for vegetable production. “This season, improved bean varieties have been cultivated on a record area in the upazila. After meeting local demand, beans from Dumuria are being supplied to Dhaka, Chittagong, and other parts of the country,” he said.
Khulna DAE Deputy Director Md Nazrul Islam said Dumuria was serving as a model for commercial vegetable farming in the region. “We are providing farmers with all possible support to market their produce and secure fair prices. Their success this season will encourage other farmers to adopt modern vegetable cultivation,” he said.