Photo: BSS

DINAJPUR, June 21, 2026 (BSS) - Mizanur Rahman, 32, a young agricultural entrepreneur from Pakerhat village in Khansama upazila of the district, has set an inspiring example in the area through the successful cultivation of the high-yielding super green variety of bottle gourd.

On Sunday, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Dinajpur, Md. Asaduzzaman visited Mizanur’s bottle gourd field located in Vabki village of the upazila. 

Expressing satisfaction with the farmer’s achievements, he said that the gourds, cultivated using modern and organic farming methods, have already gained significant popularity in the market. He said that the initiative has attracted the attention of local farmers due to its low production costs and high profitability.

According to Md. Nasib Ahmed Khan, Additional Agriculture Officer of Khansama upazila, the Department of Agricultural Extension is encouraging farmers under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Project to use organic fertilizers and adopt modern vegetable cultivation techniques. 

As part of this initiative, several young entrepreneurs in Khansama have successfully cultivated the Super Green variety of bottle gourd.

A demonstration plot for organic vegetable production was established on 21 decimals of land in Vabki village, where Mizanur achieved remarkable success through the cultivation of Super Green bottle gourds.

Mizanur Rahman said that he cultivated the Super Green variety on one acre (100 decimals) of land during the current season, including 21 decimals under an organic farming demonstration programme. His total production cost was approximately Taka 48,000, covering expenses for seeds, trellis construction, organic fertilizers, labor, and crop management.

He said that he has already earned around Taka 175,000 from selling bottle gourds harvested from his field. A substantial quantity of gourds remains in the field, and if weather conditions remain favorable, he expects to generate an additional Taka 200,000 to Taka 300,000 from the remaining harvest.

“I followed the advice of the local agriculture office and used organic fertilizers along with environmentally friendly pest management practices,” Mizanur said. 

“The Super Green variety is attractive in appearance, larger in size, and heavier in weight, which helps secure better prices in the market.”

Visits to local markets revealed that consumers are showing greater interest in the Super Green variety compared to conventional bottle gourds. Both wholesale and retail traders are purchasing the produce directly from the field, reducing transportation costs and ensuring fair prices for farmers.

Local farmer Fazel Haque said that Mizanur’s success has inspired many farmers in the area to cultivate Super Green bottle gourds and other vegetables in the coming season. 

Another farmer, Aftab Hossain, remarked, “If such profits can be earned with relatively low investment, bottle gourd cultivation is certainly worthwhile. We plan to grow this variety next season following guidance from the agriculture office.”

Field-level Agriculture Officer Sabuj Ahmed said that the soil and climate of the Dinajpur region are highly suitable for cultivating bottle gourds and other vegetables. He emphasized that with planned cultivation, organic farming practices, and government support, farmers can achieve self-reliance even on small plots of land.

Khansama Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Miz Yasmin Akter said that the Super Green bottle gourd is a high-yielding variety with relatively low susceptibility to diseases and pests, making it a low-risk crop for farmers. 

“Timely cultivation and proper care can ensure substantial profits even from small areas of land,” she said.

She further added that the Sustainable Agricultural Development Project is helping farmers become familiar with organic and environmentally friendly agricultural technologies. 

Through organic vegetable production demonstrations, farmers are gaining practical knowledge on how to produce safe and healthy vegetables.

The agriculture officer expressed optimism that the growing use of organic fertilizers and toxin-free cultivation methods would encourage more farmers to expand the production of bottle gourds and other vegetables in the region.