Farmers in Dinajpur are busy cultivating early varieties of winter vegetables. Photo: BSS

DINAJPUR, Sept 15, 2025 (BSS) - Farmers in Dinajpur are currently busy cultivating early varieties of winter vegetables, using modern agricultural methods to ensure better yields and early market access. Most usage of this method can be seen in Sadar and Phulbari upazila.

Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Director (Training) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), told BSS that Sadar upazila is considered the grain bank of the district due to its high agricultural productivity.

He said this year, farmers across all upazilas, including Sadar, are showing increased interest in cultivating early winter vegetables, hoping to benefit from higher prices by marketing their produce before the peak season.

"Generally, winter vegetables arrive in the market between November and January. During that period, supply is abundant, and farmers struggle to get fair prices," he said. "However, right after the monsoon, both demand and prices remain high. Keeping this in mind, farmers have started cultivating since early September."

Major production areas for early vegetables include Chehelgazi, Sundarban, Fazilpur, and Auliapur unions under Sadar upazila.

Shahidul Islam , 40 , a farmer from Nashipur village, said he cultivated early varieties of cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal, and tomato on 45 decimals of land.

"With the monsoon nearly over, we've taken precautions against unexpected rain by building 3-foot-wide drains across the fields to ensure proper drainage," he said. "Continuous care is being taken to prevent damage to crops."

He hopes to begin harvesting by mid-Ashwin month, and expects to get a good price by bringing the produce to market before the full winter season begins.

Another farmer, Abdur Rahman , 45 , from Danihari village, told BSS, "Over the past few years, farmers have started cultivating early vegetables using modern techniques. This has reduced both labor and costs while ensuring higher profits."

Likewise Sadar upazila, early vegetable cultivation has also started in various areas of Phulbari upazila of the district, including Shibnagar, Aladipur, Khairbari, and Daulatpur. Farmers in these regions are actively planting and nurturing seedlings of beans, radish, cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal, bitter gourd, and red cabbage.

Harun Mia , 35 , a farmer from Aladipur village, has cultivated early cauliflower on 30 decimals of land, already spending Taka 18,000, with total investment expected to reach Taka 25,000 before marketing.

"I expect to harvest within 15 to 20 days. Last year, I sold cauliflower worth Taka 1.3 lakh from this same land," he said. "Alongside cauliflower, I've also cultivated beans and cucumbers, and the yield is promising."

Keramat Ali , 48 , has cultivated cauliflower, cabbage, and radish on 60 decimals of land and is already seeing profits. "Vegetables that reach the market early in the season always fetch a better price," he said. "Beans, red and green cabbage, bitter gourd, spinach, and tomatoes have already started reaching the markets."

Md. Shahanur Rahman, Agriculture Officer of Phulbari upazila, said, "Early vegetable cultivation is profitable. Many farmers are now using this method. The produce not only meets local demand but is also supplied to other districts. Our department is regularly providing advice and assistance on modern cultivation techniques and disease control."

Md. Afzal Hossain, Deputy Director of the DAE, told BSS that a total target of 26,650 hectares has been set for vegetable cultivation in 13 upazilas of the district this season.

"Of this, 7,150 hectares are targeted for early variety vegetables, while the target for potato cultivation is 36,250 hectares," he added.