Early winter vegetables on 2,911 hectares in Sirajganj, prices easing as supply rises

Even before winter has fully set in, early winter vegetables have turned vast fields across Sirajganj green. Farmers are busy in the fields from morning to evening — tending cauliflower, cabbage, radish, beans, carrots and eggplant in some places, and harvesting early vegetables in others.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension, a record area has been planted with early winter vegetables in Sirajganj this season. So far, 2,911 hectares across the district's nine upazilas have been planted with different early vegetables. Preparations are also under way to plant winter vegetables on another 6,000 hectares.

At the same time last year, early vegetables covered 2,186 hectares. Planting has therefore increased by 725 hectares in a year.

The agriculture office says the largest early planting is in Raiganj upazila, at 685 hectares. Kazipur has 670 hectares, Ullapara 475, Kamarkhanda 305, Shahjadpur 295, Sirajganj Sadar 170, Tarash 170, Belkuchi 130 and Chauhali 11 hectares.

Visiting areas of Sirajganj Sadar, Raiganj and Ullapara, fields full of winter vegetables can be seen across the countryside. Farmers head out at first light — some clearing weeds, some irrigating, others tending their crops. Many are already harvesting vegetables and sending them to market.

Rezaul Karim, a farmer from Hasil village in Raiganj, said while tending his early cauliflower field that he has planted cauliflower and cabbage on 35 decimals of land this year. He hopes to sell the vegetables for a good price before winter fully begins.

Abdul Awal, from the same village, said he has planted cauliflower and radish on three bighas. He has been selling vegetables regularly since the start of Kartik and says prices have been better than at other times.

Jahurul Islam, a farmer from the Bahuli area of Sadar upazila, said early vegetable yields are good this year and market prices are favourable. But the cost of production has risen sharply because fertiliser, pesticide and fuel prices have gone up. Farmers could benefit more if input prices were kept under control, he said.

As early vegetable supply rises, the effect is also showing in the district's kitchen markets. According to traders, cauliflower sold for 60 taka a kilogram and green chillies for 80 taka a week ago; they are now down to 40 and 50 taka respectively. Bottle gourd has fallen from 30–40 taka each to 25 taka.

Kitchen-market trader Hatem Ali said Dutch potatoes are now selling at 20 taka a kilogram, local potatoes at 30, eggplant at 40, cauliflower at 40, green chillies at 50, cucumber at 40, radish at 20 and onions at 40 taka. Each bottle gourd sells for 25 taka, and three bundles of spinach cost 20 taka.

Trader Mojibor Sheikh said winter vegetable supply in the market has increased. Cauliflower sold for 120 taka a kilogram a month ago and is now available for 40 taka. Green chillies were 120 taka a kilogram two months ago and now sell for 60 to 70 taka. Carrots, however, sell for 160 taka and tomatoes for 120 taka a kilogram.

Manjurul Islam, sub-assistant agriculture officer for Raiganj upazila, said 685 hectares in the upazila have so far been planted with early winter vegetables and farmers are now working in the fields.