Dhundal farming gaining popularity in Lalmonirhat

Ridge-gourd, a vegetable locally known as dhundal, sees cultivation on a commercial basis in the district for the last few years. The demand for this vegetable is increasing because it is cheaper than other vegetables, with the price of one kg being Tk 8-Tk 10 in the local market.

Jahurul Islam, 45, a dhundal grower in Shivram village under Lalmonirhat Sadar, said he cultivated dhundal on two bighas of land, from which he is getting up to 150 kg every day. "I cultivated dhundal taking loan in easy instalments from a non-governmental organisation (NGO)," he said, adding that he has been farming this vegetable for the last five years.

"Dhundal price is low in the local market, but we get bumper production, so we are farming it on a commercial basis," he added.

Abdul Gani, 56, a farmer at Kulaghat village, said, "We harvest dhundal for three months from June to August. I earn a profit of Tk 20,000-Tk 25,000 from each bigha of land. Once, people didn't grow this vegetable, but now it has high demand among the customers, especially low income group people."

Atiar Rahman, 42, a van puller at Bhadai village under Aditmari upazila, said he purchases one kg of dhundal at Tk 8-Tk 10 in the local market everyday. "My family members are habituated to taking dhundal curry," he added.

Shariful Islam, 46, a vegetable trader at BDR Hat market in the town, said 70 percent of those who buy dhundal are people from the low income group. "We purchase one kg of dhundal at Tk 6-Tk 7 from the grower in the field," he said, adding that they also send this vegetable to the capital and other parts of the country.

Jahedul Islam, Lalmonirhat branch manager of an NGO said, his organisation provides loan in easy instalment to the farmers for farming dhundal on a commercial basis.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) official sources said dhundal has been cultivated on 700 acres of land this year in Lalmonirhat, while it was 400 acres last year. Farmers get 130-140 maunds of dhundal from each bigha of land spending Tk 12,000-Tk 15,000.

Enamul Haque, Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila agriculture officer, said dhundal farming in the district is increasing day-by-day as growers are getting profit. DAE officials advise farmers on how to take care of dhundal fields, he added.