Prices of the gourd are better this year in Bangladesh

Cumilla’s Lalmai Upazila has a good name for growing a variety of vegetables, particularly gourds, all the year round. The gourds grown here are supplied to Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts in the country after meeting the local demand. Since this vegetable is more profitable than any other, farmers say, they are turning to its cultivation more. Unlike past years, prices of the gourd are better this year, bringing more smiles on the faces of the farmers. Aminul Islam, a farmer from Lalmai area, says, "I have cultivated gourds on 52 decimals of land. I have spent Tk 35,000 on gourds cultivation. “I have already sold gourds worth around Tk 90,000. I will be able to sell more gourds of about Tk 40,000.” Nur Mohammad, a farmer in the same area, says, “It is easy to cultivate gourds as it is a hilly area. The cost of field maintenance is also low.” The farmers in the upazila mainly wholesale their vegetables through its Nimsar Bazar, the largest vegetable marker in the district. ...