A revolutionary change in partner cropping system is coming in agriculture dependent Bangladesh. The days of traditional farming methods are ending, the application of modern farming methods has begun.
With the help of technology, different types of vegetables and crops are growing in one land. A grassroots farmer in a remote village can make the impossible possible with just a little awareness and innovative will.
'Companion cropping' which is also known as multi cropping is a successful farming method. Two crops in one land has now become a colorful dream. That dream is shaking the mind of the farmer. This 'companion crop' is opening up new possibilities as there is less cost and more profit in less time.
At present, marginal farmers are interested in producing two crops at the same time on the same land in agriculture. Any one crop is cultivated along with another crop at the right time.
Demand for native banana in the market is high now. So farmers are getting more financial profit by selling native bananas. On the other hand, many farmers are also cultivating colored cabbage as a companion crop to sell in the market as an early winter vegetable. At the same time, farmers are earning extra money in fruits and crops. As a result, local agricultural products are being added to the national economic growth. There is no new cultivation method for any crop in less time. Therefore, the demand for fruit and crop production continues to increase among the farmers of Rangpur region. The demand for food products is increasing day by day in proportion to the growing population of the country. Therefore, it is believed that if everyone cultivates different fruits and crops in this companion cropping system, it will revolutionize the country's agriculture sector and establish a new milestone of modern agricultural success. At present, to meet the country's food needs, the Department of Agriculture is working at the field level to give various suggestions to farmers to produce more crops using modern methods on the same land.
Under the guidance of the Agriculture Department, the farmers of Rangpur region, which is known as the grain storehouse of the country, are getting financial prosperity by properly cultivating and tending the two crops based on the season. Day by day, there is a lot of enthusiasm among the farmers for two crop farming.
Hatibandha of Lalmonirhat, Jaldhaka upazila of Nilphamari have a huge potential in cultivation of seasonal fruits including rice, vegetables and bananas.
In the past years, the farmers of different Upazilas of Rangpur region have been cultivating various vegetables on a commercial basis. Banana, winter tomato, potato, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, gourd, brinjal, shrimp, bitter gourd and various types of vegetables and crops are particularly notable among these crops. Also, according to the advice of the agriculture department, there has been success by cultivating cabbage, gourd, shrimp, potal, brinjal on the same land as per the rules.
Going to Bogulagari Chowdhury Para area of Jaldhaka Upazila of Nilphamari, it can be seen that the farmers are benefiting by adopting the strategy of banana cultivation as well as vegetable cultivation in almost all the land there. First one is doing. After seeing his success, others are getting interested. In this way, two crops grow cyclically. One such successful farmer of Lalmonirhat's Hatibandha is Alim Hossain. He cultivated banana and cabbage simultaneously in a total of three bighas of land in his village. Modern farming methods can be seen in his land. Cabbage is a winter vegetable, along with row of banana trees. Alim Hossain said that this farming method is very fruitful. In this way, he has established banana plantation and winter vegetable field in a short period of time.
Alim Hossain's garden was visited and seen commercial cultivation of various bananas. He has also succeeded in cultivating other vegetables. He has now started cultivating cabbage in the vacant land of his garden. He said that he had cultivated brinjal and potatoes there before. Due to less disease and pest, easy farming method and good demand in the market, the surrounding farmers have also expressed interest in this cultivation. On his watch, other farmers have also become interested in cultivating other vegetables, including green chillies and ginger, as 'companion crops' under the terraces made for paddy, prawns, gourds, pointed fourds and cucumbers in their gardens.
Farmer Lal Mia of Jaldhaka Bogulagari said that he started cultivating sathi crops in consultation with the local agriculture office. It has been seen that more than twice the profit of paddy cultivation is obtained from companion crop cultivation. As a result, we produce multiple crops on the same land. In companion cropping, it takes less time to prepare the land, care, apply fertilizers and pesticides, and because everything can be done together, it also costs less. The profit is double.
Jaldhaka Agriculture Extension Officer Suman Ahmed said, Agriculture Extension Department is taking care of the whole matter with technology and advice. Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officers are also going to the field level and providing immediate solutions to various problems including crop disease control. Hence, people's interest in 'Companion Crops' is increasing day by day and has created new dreams in the minds of farmers.
