Jillur Royal, Nandigram (Bogra) representative: Tomato farmers are dreaming of changing their fortunes by cultivating early varieties of tomatoes. To the vegetable farmers of Nandigram upazila, early tomato cultivation is like a dream of changing fortunes. So at the end of the monsoon, vegetable farmers started cultivating early varieties of tomatoes in the hope of getting extra price by marketing the tomatoes at the beginning of winter, ignoring the various adversities. Tomatoes of this early variety are also highly valued across the country.
However, when natural disasters occur, tomato farmers face huge losses. The money spent by the farmers has to be lost. Even then, the vegetable farmers of this upazila give importance to the cultivation of early varieties of tomatoes in the hope of high profits. Vegetable farmers have cultivated early varieties of tomatoes in various fields including Bhatgram, Chakalma, Badlashan of Nandigram upazila. Going to different fields, tomatoes are hanging on every tree. There is a distance of 2 feet between each plant. Not a bit here and there, everything is equal. Again each tree is 4 to 5 feet high from the ground. It is like a different kind of handicraft woven by the hands of the farmers.
Abdul Ghaffar, a tomato grower of Bhatgram, said, "I have cultivated early varieties of tomatoes on the 20th century land. Now I am selling those tomatoes in the market. I hope to be able to profit by selling early varieties of tomatoes.
Rezaul Karim, a farmer of Badlashan village, said, I planted 1000 tomatoes in 25th century land 3 months ago. I have spent about 30 thousand rupees on 25th century land. Each plant has 50-60 tomatoes. Now tomatoes are being sold at the bazaar at Tk 140-150 per kg. If no natural calamity occurs then I can sell tomatoes from my 25th century land for approximately 3 lakh rupees.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Gaziul Haque said that the vegetable farmers of Nandigram Upazila are very active in tomato cultivation. Farmers have been very successful especially in vegetable cultivation. Farmers of this upazila have increased interest in early tomato cultivation. We are also cooperating in various ways.
