Cultivation of improved varieties of cauliflower is becoming popular in the Barendra region of Rajshahi. Apart from seasonal cauliflower cultivation, farmers are also seeing huge profits by cultivating cauliflower in summer. This is increasing their income and improving their standard of living.
Although cauliflower is known as a winter vegetable, it is also being successfully cultivated in summer. It is being cultivated especially in Durgapur, Godagari, Paba and Puthia upazilas. This change is being seen due to increasing demand in the market and good profits in off-season production.
Local farmers are cultivating cauliflower in both commercial and household methods. Many are shifting from water-dependent crops like paddy to off-season vegetable cultivation. Support from government and private organizations has further encouraged this change, which is helpful in moving towards sustainable and profitable agriculture.
Monirul Islam, a farmer from Dhamila village, is cultivating cabbage on five bighas of land and hopes to sell them in the market within 10 to 15 days.
He said, the demand is high, the price is also good. Currently, cauliflower is selling for 160 to 170 taka per kg in the retail market. However, the price was even higher a week ago.
Muhammad Milon, 45, of Golai village in Godagari upazila, has already started making a profit. He cultivates cauliflower on 12 bighas of land. Last week, he sold cauliflower from one bigha of land for 1 lakh 60 thousand taka.
He said, the cost of production is about 30 to 35 thousand taka. The yield of the early crop is very good.
Milon started planting cauliflower and cabbage on 30 bighas of land in June and plans to cultivate in multiple phases during the winter.
He also said that the early crop is always more profitable, whether it is winter or summer.
In Deopara union alone, about 45 farmers from six villages are now cultivating summer cauliflower and cabbage on about 350 bighas of land.
Agriculture Deputy Assistant Officer Atanu Sarkar said, “I am seeing more interest from farmers in summer vegetable cultivation. The Agricultural Extension Department is providing technical assistance to help farmers earn maximum profit. Vegetable cultivation is proving to be more profitable than the crop rice that has been cultivated for a long time.
Shatahar Ali (46) of Chuniapara village in Durgapur is encouraging other farmers in his village. He cultivated improved varieties of cauliflower on one and a half bighas of land by investing Tk 25,000 and has already sold cauliflower worth Tk 85,000.
Farmers like Shatahar Ali, a 46-year-old farmer of Chuniapara village in Durgapur, are inspiring others in their community.
He said, “Each cauliflower is being sold directly from the field for Tk 85-90 and up to Tk 100 in the retail market. This season, I expect to sell cauliflower worth more than Tk 150,000.”
According to Umme Salma, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Rajshahi, cauliflower and cabbage are currently being cultivated on about 30 hectares of land in the district. She highlighted the growing trend of both commercial farming and home gardening in the region.
She said farmers are shifting towards improved, high-yielding varieties. These fetch good prices. Many are now cultivating cauliflower not only in winter but also in summer. As a result, their profits are increasing.
The Barendra region, known for its dry climate, is now witnessing a transformation. With less reliance on irrigated crops and increasing support from agricultural programmes, farmers are shifting towards growing diverse crops and strengthening food security and economic stability.
Umme Salma said vegetable farming is changing lives. It is bringing smiles to the faces of marginal and small farmers.
