Rice, wheat, jute, potato, banana, tomato, chilli-onion and corn are produced in the Pirgacha of Rangpur, famous for its granaries, due to the alluvial soil formed by the Teesta rivers. Besides, the farmers here are becoming self-sufficient by cultivating brinjal. Currently they are leaning towards cultivating brinjal along with other crops due to high profit. According to Upazila Agricultural Extension Office sources, the target of brinjal production in Pirgacha this year was 323 hectares of land. 325 hectares of land has been acquired and production has been 11 thousand 163 metric tons. Farmers have succeeded in cultivating early varieties of brinjal. We visited the wholesale market in Pirgacha upazila Sadar and saw that sweet brinjal is being sold at Tk5 to Tk6 per kg. It is being sold in the retail market at the rate of Tk 10 to 15 per kg.
Abdul Jalil, a farmer of that village, said, "I have planted a hybrid variety of perpolking brinjal in the 25th century land in the month of Shravan-Bhadr last year. In the beginning, I sold brinjal wholesale at the rate of Tk52 per kg. I sold brinjal worth Tk 1 lakh 40 thousand. Apart from this, my family members sold it.'
Farmers said that they are leaning towards vegetable cultivation in the hope of higher profits using modern technology. Farmers are uprooting the plants along with field brinjal in preparation for the next eggplant season.
In this regard, Pirgacha Upazila Agriculture Officer, agriculturist Rafiqul Islam said, "Currently, the price of brinjal is a little lower due to the availability of various types of vegetables. Even after that the farmer will benefit from brinjal cultivation. Because brinjal does not spoil at once, it can be picked up from the field for a long time.
ZH
