Photo : BSS

By Md Mamun Islam

RANGPUR, Aug 26, 2025 (BSS) - Farmers in the Rangpur agricultural region have expressed satisfaction over the excellent yield and profitable prices of Kharif-1 summer vegetables, as harvesting nears completion this season.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and local market sources said that a large volume of vegetables is being supplied daily to local markets and transported to Dhaka and other parts of the country, generating encouraging returns for growers.

The DAE had set a target of producing over 5,63,779 tonnes of summer vegetables from 30,218 hectares of land across the region's five districts. However, actual cultivation covered 28,353 hectares -- 1,865 hectares less than the target -- said Md Sirajul Islam, Acting Additional Director of DAE for Rangpur region.

Farmers have so far harvested vegetables from 25,353 hectares, producing around 4,53,971 tonnes at an average yield rate of 17.91 tonnes per hectare. Officials said that many farmers are now growing vegetables two to three times a year on the same land, contributing to self-sufficiency and improved livelihoods.

Dr Md Abu Sayem, Deputy Director of the DAE's Burirhat Horticulture Centre, said vegetable farming on croplands, homesteads, and char areas has become highly profitable. He noted that a bumper yield is likely this Kharif-1 season across the region.

Farmers in Mithapukur upazila's Ranipukur Purbopara village said they cultivated a variety of vegetables including chili, bitter gourd, brinjal, dudhkushi, jhinga, kakrol, borboti, potol, off-season cabbage, and leafy vegetables.

Local fariahs said they purchase vegetables directly from farmers' fields and sell to wholesale markets at a profit margin of 15 to 20 percent. Wholesale traders in Jaigirhat, Palichara, and Rangpur city markets said the supply of vegetables had dipped slightly due to recent rains but has now returned to normal levels, though prices remain slightly elevated.

Md Delwar Hossain, proprietor of Bithi Banijyalaya in Rangpur city's wholesale market, said the current supply and demand situation has stabilized. Retailers said they purchase vegetables from wholesale markets and sell to consumers with a 10 to 15 percent markup.

In local markets, potato is being sold at Tk 18 to 45 per kg, dudhkushi, kakrol, and jhinga at Tk 60 to 80 per kg, potol and brinjal at Tk 50 to 80 per kg, cucumber at Tk 60 to 100 per kg, papaya at Tk 25 to 30 per kg, and green chili at Tk 140 per kg. Radish is selling at Tk 60 per kg, onion at Tk 70 per kg, garlic between Tk 100 and 200 per kg, and bitter gourd at Tk 100 per kg. Cabbage is selling at Tk 240 per kg, pumpkin at Tk 60 per kg, coriander at Tk 300 per kg, gourd at Tk 50 to 60 per piece, bean at Tk 240 per kg, borboti at Tk 80 per kg, arum roots at Tk 70 per kg, and ol kochu at Tk 80 per kg.

Consumers expressed mixed reactions, with many happy to find a wide variety of fresh vegetables at reasonable prices, while acknowledging that prices of certain items remain on the higher side.