Sylhet`s `safe vegetables` are going to Europe

Goalgadda is a type of bean. Farmers of this type of bean are producing in different upazilas including Golapganj of Sylhet. In this, more than 1000 metric tons of Goalgadda beans produced in a safe manner using 'Good Agricultural Practice Technology' in a non-toxic way are being exported to different European countries every year.

The Department of Agriculture Extension said that apart from Goalgadda beans, at least 800 metric tons of Zara lemons are being exported to different countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada every year. Apart from this, Naga pepper is also being exported by the farmers. And all these vegetable farmers are cultivating in a completely safe manner under the management of the Department of Agriculture Extension.

Mohammad Anichuzzaman, Additional Deputy Director of Sylhet Agriculture Extension Department, said that 8 to 10 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide Goalgadda beans are delicious to eat. As a result, there is a demand for these beans abroad. These beans are cultivated in Golapganj, Jaintapur and Dakshin Surma upazilas. Some companies buy these beans from farmers and export them abroad.

Talking to several farmers, it is known that various types of vegetables are cultivated in Sylhet. Over the past few years, many farmers have become interested in producing toxin-free and pesticide-free vegetables. Many are using organic pesticides in vegetable production. Many farmers are following the 'sex pheromone trap' or 'lure' method instead of using pesticides to control fruit-boring insects.

Mohammad Khairuddin Molla, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said that the lew method is a kind of trap to control harmful insects. In this method, the scent of the female insect is kept artificially. Attracted by this smell, the male insect comes and falls into the soapy water in the trap and dies. Reproduction is prevented by the death of the male insect. The Department of Agricultural Extension is working to interest farmers in the Lew method without the use of pesticides.

According to the sources of the Directorate of Agricultural Extension, the target of winter vegetables in Sylhet this year is 42 thousand 200 hectares. Out of this, 41 thousand 520 hectares have been produced. At least 15 to 20 percent of the vegetables produced in the district are now being used by farmers using the Lew method. As a result, no pesticides are used in the production of these vegetables.

According to the same source, out of the three types of vegetables that Sylhet exports abroad, Goalgadda beans have been planted in about 3,000 hectares and Zara lemon in 123 hectares this year. Apart from this, if the information of Naga pepper is not separated, about 90 hectares of land have been produced. This year's production volume has not been determined yet. Last year 45 thousand 500 metric tons of beans, 160 metric tons of pepper and 1 thousand metric tons of Zara lemon were produced.

Golapganj Upazila Lakshmipasha village farmer said. Shahjahan Ahmad (46) cultivates various types of vegetables including beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, green chillies, brinjals and tomatoes on 15 bigha of land every year. He cultivates safe vegetables on a total of six bighas of land. In these lands he followed all necessary methods including vermi compost (worm manure) and manure.

However, the former director of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mukir Hossain Chowdhury commented that the farmers are getting discouraged due to not getting the right price of the products by growing vegetables safely. He said that the farmers are not getting the production value according to the amount of labor and money spent on growing safe vegetables. It needs to be considered by the concerned authorities. If they get the right price for the produce, the interest among the farmers in producing safe vegetables will increase.

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