Chili of Sariakandi in Bogura has received the fame for its flavor which is turning the local growers to cultivate hybrid chili cultivation for more profit.
Local farmers and Upazila Agriculture Office sources said, all over the country, hybrid chili is being cultivated. This year, chili has been cultivated in 3,600 hectares land. Hybrid chill has been cultivated in about 500 hectares which was 200 hectares last year. Rafiqul Islam of Narci Daskinpara said, he has been cultivating chili for years. But for the last two years he has been cultivating hybrid chili in 20 decimals land.
He spend Tk 15000 to Tk 16000 for cultivation. But he earned Tk 50,000 after counting the cultivation cost. He said, hybrid chili can be plucked in 25-30 days after cultivation.
Rafiqul Islam said also, all the year hybrid chili is giving him profit with less cost. So others farmers are turning to hybrid chili cultivation. Rubel of Jorgachha Union has cultivated hybrid in 1 Bigha land for better profot. Last year he cultivated in 20 decimals.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Shahaduzzaman said to The Asian Age, It was hard to bring profit from chili cultivation just before two or three years. But now growers are inspired as they can bring profit from crop land.
The agriculture office has been successfully inspired them with positive outcome. We are giving incentive and suggestion to farmers, he added.
--Syed Ahmed Kiron, Bogura