Photo : BSS

By Rustam Ali Mondol

DINAJPUR, July 4, 2026 (BSS)-In the fertile lands of Khansama upazila of the district, rows of lush green brinjal fields are yielding an abundant harvest this summer, offering a welcome boost to farmers who rely heavily on seasonal crops. 

Encouraged by modern cultivation techniques and continuous support from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), growers are having bumper production, although a recent fall in market prices has tempered their initial hope.

Agriculture officials say the season began on a promising note, with farmers receiving attractive prices for their product. As harvesting gained momentum, however, increased supply in wholesale markets pushed prices down. Even so, most growers remain confident that the high yield will ensure a profitable season.

Talking to BSS, Khansama Upazila agriculture officer Rashed Hasan said farmers are currently busy harvesting and maintaining their summer brinjal fields. He noted that the crop fetched excellent prices during the early weeks of the season, bringing smiles to the growers' faces.

“Farmers have not faced any marketing difficulties,” Hasan said. “Wholesale traders are coming directly to the fields to purchase the product, making it easier for growers to sell their harvest.”

Farmers in Bhabki village said the popularity of early-season summer brinjal cultivation has grown steadily over the past two years, thanks to technical guidance from the local agriculture office.

Syed Ali, one of the growers, said improved varieties of summer brinjal have generated encouraging returns. However, rising production costs including fuel, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and labour have significantly increased cultivation expenses this year. At the same time, huge  market arrivals have reduced wholesale prices compared with previous seasons.

“Even though prices have declined, we are not discouraged,” he said. “The market fluctuates every year and because of production is so good, we still expect to make a profit, although it may be smaller than last year's.”

According to farmers, brinjal initially sold for Taka 1,500 to Taka 1,700 per maund. Over the past several days, prices have fallen to between Taka 800 and Taka 900 per maund as supplies in the market have increased.

Sharecropper Mominur Rahman of Badalgari village cultivated early-season summer brinjal on two bighas of leased land spending Taka 32,000 in annual rent.

“Production costs have nearly doubled because of higher fuel prices, fertilizers, pesticides and wages,” he said. “Still, with such a good harvest, I believe we will remain profitable.”

In Subarnakhuli village under Angarpara Union, farmer Rezaul Islam said he had switched to summer brinjal cultivation after receiving advice from the upazila agriculture office.

“This year I cultivated one bigha of land,” he said. “Favourable weather has produced an excellent harvest. I expect to continue selling brinjal for another month and a half. The recent decline in prices is worrying, but I believe the higher yield will compensate for it.”

Another farmer from the same village, Abu Taleb, echoed similar optimism.

“Good weather has resulted in bumper production,” he said. “Prices remained attractive for nearly a month at the beginning of the season but have now fallen by almost half.”

Taleb said production costs range from Taka 20,000 to Taka 25,000 per bigha. He has already sold brinjal worth Taka 48,000 and expects to sell another Taka 20,000 to Taka 25,000 before the season ends.

“If the crop remains free from diseases and market prices stay reasonable, sales of Taka 80,000 to Taka 100,000 per bigha are achievable,” he said. “Even after production costs, farmers can normally earn Taka 60,000 to Taka 70,000 per bigha. Costs have increased sharply this year, so profits may be lower but we do not expect to incur losses.”

Khansama Upazila Agriculture Officer Yasmin Akter said farmers in the area have increasingly embraced summer brinjal cultivation following sustained extension support from the agriculture department.

“The soil in this region is highly suitable for brinjal cultivation,” she said. “This season, nearly 250 hectares of land have been brought under cultivation. Most farmers received good prices at the beginning of the season. Prices have softened because supplies have increased, but growers are still expected to remain profitable.”

 “The agriculture department is closely monitoring farmers' production and marketing activities,” she said, expressing confidence that the season will remain rewarding despite the recent decline in prices.