Tomato cultivation is usually done in winter. To get tomatoes throughout the year, tomatoes are now being cultivated even in summer. Farmers are benefiting from tomato cultivation in summer season. Zahidul Islam, a farmer of Santospur village in Jibannagar Upazila of Chuadanga, has seen the profit of growing tomatoes on his land. Affluence returned to his family by selling tomatoes. The demand for tomatoes in the current market is also high with the price. Despite facing losses last year, Zahidul Islam and other farmers in the area have made a lot of profit by growing tomatoes. This year too, famers in the area cultivated Bari-4 varieties of tomatoes.
Farmers said last year they started summer tomato cultivation with the cooperation of Jibannagar Agricultural Extension Department. But without understanding the cultivation, the trees are destroyed. Later, a farmer named Zahidul visited Bagharpara Upazila of Jashore about the summer tomato cultivation method of the farmers and gained experience. This time too, with the help of Jibannagar Agricultural Extension Department, tomato cultivation is getting more profit than other crops. There is a lot of demand for tomatoes in the seasonal market. Expected prices are also available. Now, after seeing the summer tomato cultivation method from me, many farmers are preparing to do this cultivation.
He also said that Bari-4 varieties of tomatoes have been cultivated in the current season. Seedlings are planted in straight rows on raised beds with soil. And to save the trees from waterlogging, a hut-like canopy has been provided with the help of thick polythene with bamboo mats right above it. Special drains are made around each bed and field to drain the water. If it rains, the water will drain quickly through this drain. There is no fear of damaging the tomato plants. Seeing the success in tomato cultivation, many farmers are now leaning towards this cultivation.
Jibannagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Sharmin Akhtar said, Bari-4 variety of tomatoes can be cultivated all year round. Zahidul Islam, a farmer of Santoshpur village in the upazila, is making good profit by cultivating tomatoes. He is being provided all kinds of support by the Upazila Agriculture Office. Senior officials of the agriculture department visited his tomato fields several times.