Farmers and officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are expecting a bumper yield of winter vegetables in Khulna . Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Oct 6, 2025 (BSS) - Farmers and officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are expecting a bumper yield of winter vegetables in Khulna this season thanks to favourable weather and timely farming support.

Local markets across the region are now flooded with fresh winter vegetables as the early harvests have begun, bringing smiles to farmers who are fetching good prices for their produce.

Officials said the excellent yield was made possible through favourable climatic conditions, supply of quality seeds, fertilizers and agro-inputs, as well as technical assistance provided by the DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

In addition, banks including Krishi Bank and NGOs have disbursed loans and interest-free credit to ensure the success of the large-scale winter vegetable cultivation programme.

According to DAE sources, winter vegetables have so far been harvested on 24,248 hectares of land in the Khulna agricultural zone, which covers Khulna, Bagerhat, Narail and Satkhira districts. Harvesting of the remaining crops is expected to be completed by the end of October.

The DAE set a cultivation target of 36,965 hectares under the Kharif-1 and Kharif-2 programmes this year, but farmers actually achieved 37,486 hectares. 

Of this, 36,735.47 hectares were successfully cultivated while 750.53 hectares were damaged due to heavy rainfall.

From the cultivated area, farmers have produced a total of 4,88,468 tonnes of winter vegetables, averaging 20 tonnes per hectare, DAE officials said.

Many farmers began planting early winter vegetables immediately after recent rainfalls and the recession of floodwaters in the low-lying areas. Others have taken up early varieties after harvesting short-duration Aman paddy in late September across the four districts.

Side by side with harvesting Kharif crops, farmers have also started cultivating Robi crops, including winter vegetables, in full swing.

For the 2025-26 Robi season, the DAE has targeted production of 7,31,305 tonnes of crops, including vegetables, from 31,011 hectares of land, an average yield of 23.58 tonnes per hectare. 

In comparison, 7,05,672 tonnes of Robi crops were produced from 30,247 hectares last season.

Most farmers are optimistic that the current harvest will bring higher profits, given strong local and national demand for fresh vegetables.

Talking to BSS, Additional Director of the Khulna Agriculture Zone Md Rafiqul Islam said that the region's vegetable output not only meets local needs but also supplies major wholesale markets, including Dhaka's Karwan Bazar.

"Khulna's vegetables are also exported to several countries such as Italy, England, South Korea, and nations in the Middle East," he added.

He said the agriculture department continues to assist farmers with fertilizers, seeds and modern training to boost yields and profits.

"Good harvests and fair prices have been encouraging farmers to expand vegetable cultivation every year," Rafiqul Islam noted, adding that during flood or crisis periods, Khulna's produce has often helped stabilize the country's vegetable supply.