রবিবার, ১৮ অক্টোবর ২০২৬, ০৮:৪৩ অপরাহ্ন
BRAHMANBARIA, Oct 18, 2026 (BSS) – Farmer Abu Hanif Bhuiyan has achieved success by cultivating hybrid bottle gourds using traditional methods without applying any pesticides on 25 decimals of land beside his house in Akhaura upazila of the district.
He has already sold gourds worth more than Taka 4,000 and expects to sell produce worth over Taka 60,000 from the plot after meeting his family’s needs.
Hanif Bhuiyan is a resident of Rajmangalpur village under Moniand union of the upazila. His success has drawn the attention of local people and farmers from neighbouring areas, many of whom are visiting his field to learn about his cultivation methods and crop care.
The farmer said he grows different types of vegetables during most of the year according to the season. About two months ago, he started cultivating a high-yielding hybrid variety of bottle gourd on 25 decimals of land using traditional methods.
He has spent around Taka 15,000 so far on land preparation, seed purchase, planting seedlings, fencing and weed removal, among other activities.
“Flowers began to appear on the plants about 45 days after transplanting the seedlings, and the gourds became ready for consumption within another 10 to 12 days,” he said.
He has been selling the gourds for the past week at Taka 50 to Taka 55 each. Local buyers and vegetable traders are purchasing the produce directly from his field.
A visit to the field found bottle gourd vines spreading across a trellis, with white flowers blooming at the tips and numerous green gourds hanging beneath it. The farmer remains busy tending the plants in the morning and evening to maintain a good yield.
Local residents said his initiative demonstrates how planned vegetable cultivation on a small plot can generate a good income. They believe his success could inspire other farmers to take up bottle gourd cultivation.
Akhaura Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Md Masud Rana said bottle gourd cultivation requires comparatively less labour and can produce a good yield.
“Farmers in this upazila are becoming profitable by cultivating bottle gourds commercially alongside other vegetables,” he said.
He added that determination and proper crop care could lead to success in agriculture, describing Hanif Bhuiyan’s achievement as an example.
The upazila agriculture office maintains regular contact with local farmers and provides advice and assistance according to their needs, he said.
