MANIKGANJ, May. 22, 2023 (BSS)-The cultivation of green pepper in the district has exceeded its target during the Robi season in all seven upazilas of the district.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said the green peeper cultivators of the district are showing their maximum interest to cultivate their spicy cash crop observing its high price in the markets.
Now, per kilogram green pepper is being sold at TK. 110- 120 at the local markets and most of the green peeper cultivators started to harvest and those are coming at the markets.
The DAE sources said after onion, green pepper is the most important cash crop to the cultivators of Harirampur, Shibalaya and Ghior upazilas of the district, adding that more than 80 percent of green pepper grows in those three upazilas of the district.
Ahmad Ali, one of the cultivators of Shakrail under Shibalaya upazila of the district said they have been cultivating green peppers on their lands from generation to generation, adding that some green peeper is cultivated in the same land with onion as the second crop. After harvesting the onion all the green peeper lands are brought under incentive care for the growing green pepper sapling.
Shahidul Islam one of the green peeper cultivators of Jhitka under Harirampur upazila said recent rainfall is the blessing of Almighty Allah and it will reduce the irrigation expenses and expect bumper production.
The DAE office sources said, from the month of May most of the cultivators start harvesting of the green peepers from their land if the congenial climatic condition prevails, adding that the harvesting of green pepper has already been started during the current season.
During the harvesting season of green pepper, a large number of people are engaged in the seasonal trading and earn a good amount of money.
Large number of wholesalers and retailers come to the areas to collect the green pepper from the cultivators regularly.
Hundreds of trucks run in the areas to collect the green peppers and go to the different places in the country to supply it. Hundreds of labourers, mainly women, are engaged in harvesting the green pepper from the field.
Abdur Rahman, one of the green pepper traders of Barangail Bazar said everyday a group of traders visit the local markets and buy green peppers from their godown for supplying to different parts of the country. He said five to six people work every day in his shop.
Akkas Ali, one of the green pepper traders, said the green pepper of Manikganj has been exported to some countries in European and Middle-East countries and its markets are being widened day by day.
The DAE sources said they set a target of green pepper cultivation on 3291 hectares of land in the district with a production target of 6615 metric tons during the current season, adding that the fixed target has already been exceeded. The cultivators have cultivated 3541 hectares of land in the district.
Deputy Director of the DAE Abu Mohammad Enayet Ullah said the soil of Manikganj district specially Harirampur, Shibalaya and Ghior are suitable for green pepper cultivation, adding that the quality of the green pepper of Manikganj is better than other districts of the country and it has a great demand in the markets.
