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Cucumber farming using the mulching method is gaining popularity among farmers in Sirajganj as it produces crops quickly, suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture and improves the quality of cucumbers.
Farmers across all nine upazilas of the district are cultivating cucumbers to varying degrees. However, despite good yields this season, many are disappointed by low market prices, raising concerns about whether they will be able to recover production costs and make the expected profit.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a target has been set to cultivate cucumbers on 130 hectares of land in Sirajganj this year, with a production target of 3,640 tonnes. As part of efforts to promote modern farming technologies, mulching-based cucumber cultivation has also been demonstrated on 60 per cent of selected plots.
The agriculture department said farmers using the mulching method are producing around 40-45 maunds of cucumbers per bigha.
Farmers said cucumbers generally begin producing within 30-45 days of planting, allowing them to earn income relatively quickly. The mulching method reduces weed growth, helps retain soil moisture for longer and makes crop management easier. As the cucumbers do not come into direct contact with the soil, their quality is also often better.
Jasim Uddin, a farmer in Sadar upazila, said he achieved a good yield from mulching-based cultivation this season, with the plants growing quickly and producing large quantities of cucumbers.
“But the low market price means we are not making a profit in line with the yield,” he said.
He said the cost of seeds, fertiliser, pesticides, labour, irrigation and mulching comes to around Tk45,000 per bigha. A good market price would make cucumber farming more profitable, he added.
Motaleab, a farmer in Ullapara, said the mulching method had produced a good yield while reducing some cultivation costs. However, increased supply during the harvesting season had pushed down prices.
“Cucumbers are currently selling for Tk1,100 to Tk1,200 per maund. At this price, farmers are not getting the expected profit after covering production costs,” he said.
He believes more farmers would adopt the method if fair prices could be ensured.
Farmers also said they do not always receive adequate field-level advice and support despite growing interest in modern farming techniques. They said regular guidance on pest and disease control, fertiliser application, irrigation and marketing could help increase production and returns.
The agriculture department said it has taken various initiatives to familiarise farmers with modern technologies. Under a Rajshahi Division agricultural development project, farmers are being encouraged to adopt mulching-based cucumber cultivation through demonstration plots.
Officials said the same mulching system can also be used to cultivate multiple crops, helping farmers make better use of their land.
AKM Manzure Mawla, deputy director of the DAE in Sirajganj, said the agriculture department was working at the field level to increase production through modern technologies.
“Good yields are being achieved through mulching-based cucumber cultivation. Farmers are being provided with necessary technical advice, while initiatives have been taken to expand the method through demonstration plots,” he said.
Agriculture experts said cucumber is a short-duration vegetable with year-round demand. Increasing production through modern technologies could therefore help raise farmers’ incomes. However, higher yields alone may not bring the desired economic benefits unless market management and fair prices are also ensured.
Farmers said production, transportation and labour costs were rising, while falling farm-gate prices increased the risk of losses. They called for stronger coordination between agricultural authorities and market-management agencies in production planning and marketing.
With mulching improving cucumber yields and quality, farmers’ interest in the technology is growing in Sirajganj. Ensuring fair prices for the produce could help expand the method further and improve farmers’ incomes.