District Correspondent, Sylhet: Uttar Hafizpur village in Bahubal Upazila of Habiganj district has recently become a site of agricultural success. Farmer Md. Dulal Mia cultivated around 30 decimals of previously fallow land, reaping significant profits within a short period and bringing a smile to his face due to the low cost and high returns.
At the beginning of the season, Md. Dulal Mia was contemplating which crops to plant. Upon visiting the field, Md. Shamimul Haque Shamim, the Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of Dimura Agriculture Block, learned about Dulal’s plans. He encouraged Dulal to cultivate taro (mukhikachu) alongside Bahubali variety tomatoes. Under the FRIP project, Dulal was provided a demonstration plot for taro cultivation.
With guidance from Shamimul Haque Shamim, Dulal planted taro on February 27 and alongside it, he sowed Bahubali variety tomato seedlings. Within a month, the tomato plants started flowering, and soon, the plants bore an abundance of tomatoes. The shade provided by the tomato plants also contributed to the healthy growth of the taro plants.
During an on-site visit, Dulal Mia shared his experience. He said, “My land was lying fallow, and I thought it was better to cultivate it than leave it idle. Following the advice of Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Md. Shamimul Haque Shamim, I started cultivating taro alongside tomatoes. The total cost was approximately 45,000 taka. I’ve already started selling tomatoes at wholesale prices ranging from 30 to 35 taka per kilogram. In a few days, the price of tomatoes might increase. I expect to earn around 130,000 taka from selling tomatoes and an additional 70,000 taka from selling taro later.”
Several farmers from Uttar Hafizpur mentioned that they had observed Dulal’s farming success. They were inspired by the combined cultivation of taro and tomatoes, which they saw for the first time. They are now preparing to adopt similar farming methods in the upcoming season.
Md. Shamimul Haque Shamim, the Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of Dimura Agriculture Block, said, “This is the first time taro has been cultivated alongside tomatoes in Bahubal. With proper guidance, we have achieved success. Farmer Md. Dulal Mia is making a profit by cultivating his previously fallow land. Seeing his success, other farmers in the area are also motivated to adopt similar practices. The agricultural office is always ready to support them.”
