Fifty vegetable villages of Lalmonirhat

Fifty villages in the district Lalmonirhat are known as 'vegetable villages' because all the farmers in these villages specialize in vegetable farming round the year and they have been earning good returns as well. After meeting their family's needs, they are being able to save for their future. Of the 50 vegetable villages, 20 are at Lalmonirhat sadar, 15 are at Aditmari upazila, 10 are at Kaliganj upazila and 5 are at Hatibandha upazila in the district, sources of Agriculture Extension Department AED in Lalmonirhat said. 

Surot Ali, 55, a farmer at Fulagchh in Lalmonirhat sadar said that he has been producing different vegetables round the year, "Before farming vegetables the local farmers had to face a lot of trouble in maintaining family needs but now we are happy, and are being able to earn good profits," he said.

Vegetable fields at Fulgachh village.

"About 10 years back, our village Fulgachh was known as poverty prone village in the district. Our land was abandoned as we weren't yet aware of modern technology in vegetables farming. But now all that has changes and our village is known as a model village for vegetables farming. We aren't poor anymore and we even have bank accounts where we save money," said vegetable grower Yasin Ali Bapary of the same village.

Atul Chandra Roy at Durakuti village in Lalmonirhat sadar, besides farming vegetables, also produce seeds of different items every year. "All the families in our village are now doing well as all they are earning expected profit farming vegetables round the year," he said.

Wahed Miah, a vegetable grower at Kamlabari village of Aditmari upazila said that after getting advice and technical support from the agriculture department, farmers of the village were encouraged to take up vegetable farming seriously. Produce of these villages are now even coming to to the capital and other parts of the country every day.

Vegetable fields at Fulgachh village. Photo: Star

Alok Adhikary, an agriculture official in Lalmonirhat sadar said that vegetable farming in Lalmonirhat has brought about a dynamic change among the farmers at villages. A good number of educated people have been engaged with vegetables farming and are doing well.

The Deputy Director of Lalmonirhat AED, Safayet Hossain said that about six thousand farmers at these vegetable farming villages set an example on farming vegetables. Many of the farmers are recognized as icons of improved vegetable farming, he said, adding that AED officials always provide advice and input support to the farmers.