Zahurul the inspiration

A farmer at Shivram village in Barabari union under Sadar upazila has successfully farmed vegetables on fallow land, inspiring other farmers to do the same on their fallow lands.

Farmer Zahurul Islam, 44, was not satisfied farming vegetables in his 70 decimals of land, so he took sublease of three acres of land from a landowner a few years ago on Tk 75,000 yearly contract basis.

 Landowner Niloy Chandra Roy, 65, of the village, said he has no manpower for farming his land, so it had been fallow for years. “I subleased my land to Zahurul and he has been farming vegetables round the year,” he said, adding that Zahurul has set an example for better vegetable farming.

“I never keep the land unused,” said Zagurul, adding that he earns profit of Tk 1,50,000 to Tk  2,00,000 every year after bearing all expenditures.

“My wife Rahima Begum helps me, and she gets financial support through easy instalment basis loan facility by NGO Muslim Aid Bangladesh,” he said, adding that many local farmers come to him for advice on how to grow vegetables round the year.

Zahurul cultivates bean, cucumber, potato, bitter gourd, pumpkin, carrot, papaya, cabbage, mint, cauliflower, lal shak, palong shak, lady's finger, garlic, squash and napa shak. 

Lalmonirhat Sadar branch Manager of Muslim Aid Bangladesh Abdullah Al Noman said his organisation provides loan on easy instalment basis for farming vegetables. “We are always ready to provide support to those who want to do better in farming,” he said.

Farm labourer Kanok Roy, 55, said he and seven others, including three women, got year-round jobs in Zahurul's farm for a wage of Tk 200 per day.

Farmer Haroish Chandra Barmon, 50, said Zahurul earns profit due to his labour and skills, adding that Zahurul has given hope to farmers.

Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Enamul Haque said farmer Zahurul was given training in farming vegetables, adding that agriculture officials provide him with technical support.