Hybrid tomato doubles output in Jhalakathi
Hybrid tomato cultivation is gaining popularity among the farmers of the district due to its high yield.
Agriculture department sources said while per hectare local variety production of tomato is 20 metric tonnes the farmers are getting maximum 40 metric tonnes from the high yielding variety.
Farmers said, they are expecting more production this season due to favourable weather condition.
Rabindra Baroi, a farmer of Shimulia village in Sadar upazila, said he cultivated more hybrid tomato this year due to consecutive success.
“The production of hybrid tomato per hectare is much higher than the local variety and it is free from diseases,” he said.
Local farmers, however, alleged that they are facing serious irrigation problem as the connecting canal that flow over the village has dried up.
Moreover, they cannot use pump for irrigation due to absence of electricity in the village.
Monika Baral, deputy assistant agriculture officer, said earlier the farmers were not interested in cultivating hybrid crops like tomato, bitter gourd etc.
But they have been inspired by the success of Rabindra Baroi and now more farmers are engaged in hybrid tomato cultivation, she added.
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