The early variety of beans known as Auto Shim has started arriving in the markets of Ishwardi, Pabna. With the start of the vegetable season, farmers are receiving high prices for their produce and are hopeful for a better harvest than last year.
On Tuesday, local vendors in Ishwardi’s vegetable markets were selling Auto Shim (bean) at Tk 180 to Tk 200 per kg. Farmers are optimistic, saying they expect higher yields this year. Five farmers from Muladuli Union mentioned that although there are always risks of pests and viruses, they are working hard to overcome any challenges.
According to the Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Office, this season, Auto Shim (bean) is being cultivated on around 890 hectares of land across seven unions and the municipal area. The cultivation area increases each year due to its profitability. Among the unions, Muladuli and Dashuria have the largest areas under (bean) Shim cultivation, although other unions also have smaller-scale production.
Local markets have already started selling the beans, with wholesale prices ranging from Tk 170 to Tk 180 per kg. Retail prices have reached up to Tk 200. On average, farmers harvest 8 to 10 mond (approximately 320–400 kg) per bigha of land.
Assistant Agriculture Officer Aliuzzaman said that due to low returns from other crops, many farmers are turning to Auto Shim. Even unused or residential plots are being used for cultivation. Since the beans are grown using trellis (machha) methods, crop damage is minimal. The harvest period lasts until the end of the Bengali month of Magh, after which farmers will plant other winter bean varieties.
During a visit to Dholti village in Muladuli Union, hundreds of bighas of land were seen covered in Auto Shim plantations. Trellises full of flowering bean plants were visible across the fields.
Farmer Saidul Islam said he has cultivated Auto Shim on two bighas this year. He planted the seeds in early July and built trellises soon after. Including labour, plant care, structure building, and pest control sprays, he has spent Tk 25,000 to Tk 30,000 per bigha. If the weather remains favourable, he expects a profit of around Tk 150,000 from the two bighas after covering expenses.
Another farmer from the same area, Md Masum, cultivated beans on 1.5 bighas and is also hopeful for a good return, as his plants are full of flowers.
Aminur Rahman Babu, Finance Secretary of the Muladuli vegetable wholesale market, said Auto Shim has been arriving for the past 10–12 days. The current wholesale price is Tk 6,800 to Tk 7,200 per mond, which means a retail price of Tk 190–200 per kg. He added that prices will fall once supply increases.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Momin said that (bean) Shim cultivation is increasing every year due to profitability, and this year’s early harvest is promising. Field officers are actively advising farmers, ensuring better yields despite some early pest issues.
Photo Caption: An auto shim (bean) field in Dhulti village of Muladuli Union. BP Photo
