Farmers in Birganj upazila of Dinajpur are busy cultivating early varieties of cauliflower, hoping for good yields and favourable market prices. Across the upazila, vast tracts of farmland are now covered with early-season cauliflower, with farmers spending their days tending to the crops.
A recent visit to different parts of Birganj found extensive cultivation of early cauliflower in several areas, including Prannagar, Dolua and 25 Mile in No 9 Satour Union; Bhabuki and Bartali villages in No 8 Bhognagar Union; and various agricultural blocks in Nijpara Union.
Farmers are currently engaged in regular irrigation, balanced fertilizer application and weed removal to ensure healthy growth of the crops. The main varieties being cultivated include Ratna or Ratnasha, a 45-day variety, along with White Marble and Ninja.
Rahim Uddin, a farmer from Dolua, said the condition of his cauliflower field is currently satisfactory.
“If the weather remains favourable, we expect to harvest and take the cauliflower to market within the next 20 to 22 days. We are hopeful of getting a good price,” he said.
Abdul Jabbar, a farmer from the 25 Mile area, has cultivated early cauliflower on four bighas of land, investing additional labour and money in the crop. He said farmers are increasingly opting for early cultivation because vegetables harvested ahead of the regular season can fetch better prices in the market.
According to the Birganj Upazila Agriculture Office, the total target for cauliflower cultivation in the upazila this season has been set at 593 hectares. Of this, early cauliflower has already been cultivated on 170 hectares.
The figure was only 92 hectares during the same period last year, indicating a significant rise in early cauliflower cultivation this season.
Mohammad Shariful Islam, upazila agriculture officer, said sub-assistant agricultural officers are regularly providing farmers with technical advice on fertiliser application, irrigation and pest management.
“The overall condition of the cauliflower fields is satisfactory at present. If the farmers achieve good yields, they are expected to benefit financially. We also hope the area under early-season vegetable cultivation will expand further in the coming years,” he said.
