Photo: BSS

By SM Zahid Hossain

KHULNA, Oct 10, 2025 (BSS) – Dumuria upazila, widely known as the granary of Khulna, has once again witnessed a bumper production of winter vegetables this season, with an estimated market value of around Tk 250 crore.

Local farmers and agricultural officials credit this success to the use of modern technologies in vegetable and seed cultivation.

The upazila’s pesticide-free and safe vegetables are now being exported abroad, bringing immense joy to local farmers who take pride in seeing their hard-earned produce reach international markets.

Farmers and traders said that rising demand and good prices have encouraged many to expand vegetable cultivation every year.

Early-season crops, in particular, are fetching higher profits. Favorable weather conditions and strong market prices have made this year’s harvest especially profitable.

Across vast fields, rows of bottle gourds, beans, cauliflowers, cabbages, turnips, chilies, spinach, and various leafy greens now blanket the landscape.

Farmers are working from dawn to dusk—watering, weeding, and tending to the crops with dedication.

Many local farmers have become self-reliant through vegetable farming.

Talking to BSS, Abu Hanif Morol, a national Krishi Padak winner from Kharnia in Dumuria, said, “This year’s winter vegetable yield has been excellent, especially cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, bean, and eggplant. The market prices are also good.”

Similarly, farmer Kamal Bawali from Malmalia village in Shovna said that he cultivated beans, tomatoes, and turnips on six bighas of land and earned a handsome profit.

“Dumuria’s vegetables are now being exported abroad,” he added with pride.

Abdul Halim, a member of Bamundia ward under Kharnia Union Parishad, said, “The agriculture department is providing training, fertilizer, and seed support to farmers, which has led to bumper yields. Dumuria’s chemical-free vegetables are now reaching foreign markets, which is a matter of great pride for us.”

While talking to BSS, Upazila Agriculture Officer, Agriculturist Md Insan Ibne Amin, confirmed the good harvest, saying, “Farmers are smiling this winter thanks to good yields and fair prices. Around 3,650 hectares of land have been brought under vegetable cultivation this season, including 380 hectares of beans, 220 hectares of tomatoes, 360 hectares of eggplants, and 260 hectares of cauliflower.”

He added that Dumuria’s produce meets local demand and is supplied directly to Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar, while exports are being made to Italy, England, and South Korea.

Overall, this season’s winter vegetable production in Dumuria is estimated at Tk 250 crore, marking another milestone in the region’s agricultural success story.

A total of 4,88,468 tonnes of winter vegetables have been produced from 36,735.47 hectares of land, said DAE officials, adding that the average yield rate is 20 tonnes per hectare.

Talking to BSS, Additional Director of the Department of Agriculture, Khulna Zone, Md Rafiqul Islam said that Khulna’s vegetables meet local demand and are delivered directly to Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar and other parts of the country.
He said that the agriculture department helps farmers by providing fertilizers, seeds, and training.

“On behalf of the DAE, we occasionally provide fertilizers and seeds to poor farmers,” he said.

Good harvests and favorable prices have led to an increase in vegetable cultivation in this region every year.

He, however, said that during crisis periods, such as floods and heavy rains, Khulna’s vegetables help meet the country’s vegetable demand in those years.