Many of the farmers in Bangladesh’s Gaibandha district have become self-reliant economically, applying modern and systematic cultivation methods on their barren char lands. Chilli cultivation has changed the fortune of farmers in Gaibandha for the better in seven of the district's upazilas (administrative unit) in recent years.
According to sources, the farmers of the upazilas used to cultivate chilli like any other vegetable crop. But they could not profit in the past due to lack of marketing facilities. Modern cultivation methods, the distribution of high quality seeds to farmers, availability of fertilizers, need-based training and better irrigation facilities led to a boost in chilli production recently in the char areas.
As per recent statistics of the district's Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office, the target for cultivating chilli was set across 1,000 ha of land, but the target was exceeded to 1,100 ha. DAE sources also said November 15-December 15 is the ideal time for cultivating the vegetable, which could be harvested in 60 days. Each hectare of chilli cultivation costs farmers Tl180,000-204,000.
As reported, chilli traders from Dhaka, Rangpur, Naogaon, Sirajganj, and Joypurhat are coming to the bazaars, purchasing the chillies. They are selling the dried chillies to different companies like Pran, ACI and Square.
