Photo: BSS

GOPALGANJ, April 15, 2026 (BSS) - Farmers in Gopalganj are increasingly turning to bitter gourd cultivation, drawn by the high profit margins and relatively low cost of production. 

This shift in agricultural trends is bringing smiles to the faces of local farmers who are reaping the benefits of cultivating bitter gourd, a vegetable known for its market demand.

According to the Agriculture Department, a total of 148 hectares of land have been dedicated to bitter gourd cultivation this year, a notable increase from 128 hectares in the previous year. 

Farmers are particularly interested in bitter gourd cultivation as it allows for a quicker return on investment. The vegetable is a short-duration crop, making it an attractive option for those looking to maximize profit during a single growing season.

"We still have about a month and a half left in the season, and if the weather remains favorable, we expect to harvest and sell bitter gourd by the end of Baishakh," said a local farmer, expressing optimism for a bountiful harvest.

The major areas in Gopalganj where bitter gourd cultivation has flourished include Raghunathpur, Silna and Barkhadia in Sadar upazila, as well as Singa, Hatiara, and Rahuthor in Kashiani upazila. 

These areas have witnessed an encouraging yield of the vegetable, which is being sold both locally and to nearby urban markets such as Dhaka, Khulna, Magura, Jhenaidah, and Faridpur.

The crop is highly productive, with some farmers harvesting up to 30 maunds of bitter gourd per bigha per week," shared one local farmer.

Currently, bitter gourd is being sold at wholesale prices ranging between Taka 2,000 to Taka 2,200 per maund. The sale has become a profitable venture for many farmers, with some expecting to earn lakhs of taka in just one month from a single bigha of land.

Dulal Hira, a farmer from Barkhadia, explained his experience with bitter gourd cultivation.

"I cultivated bitter gourd on one bigha of land this year, spending about Taka 40,000. So far, I have sold worth Taka 80,000, and there are still more crops to be harvested. I'm confident I'll make even more from the remaining produce,” he said.

Ranjit Bhakta, another farmer in the same village, shared his success, having cultivated bitter gourd on 30 decimal of land with a cost of Taka 22,000. 

He has already sold Taka 45,000 worth and expects another Taka 50,000 to Taka 60,000 in sales in the coming weeks.

The impact of bitter gourd farming is not only visible in the fields but also in the local markets. 

Sameer Majumdar, a shopkeeper at Barkhadia Bazar, reported that 10 to 15 pickup trucks of bitter gourd are sent daily to major cities, including Dhaka, Khulna, and Magura. Wholesalers from these areas regularly visit the village to purchase the crop in bulk.

Ratan Kumar Adhikari, Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of Baulatoli Union, said that approximately 200 farmers in Baulatoli union are now engaged in bitter gourd cultivation. 

"Farmers are benefitting from the high returns and low production costs. They are moving towards upland farming, and we're continually advising them on the best practices for such crops," Adhikari said.

Dr. Md. Mamunur Rahman, the Deputy Director of the Gopalganj Department of Agricultural Extension, also weighed in on the trend?

"Farmers are increasingly leaning towards upland farming due to the high profits at lower costs. Our field-level officers are committed to providing support and guidance to help farmers maximize their yields," he said.

With the growing demand for bitter gourd and the increasing number of farmers turning to this lucrative crop, Gopalganj is becoming a hub for bitter gourd cultivation, and the prospects for future seasons are promising.