This is the first time that foreign vegetable squash is being cultivated in Magura. The interest of farmers in this cultivation is increasing day by day. Asaduzzaman, a farmer in Rajapur village of Amalsar union of Sreepur upazila of the district, has succeeded in cultivating this foreign vegetable squash. He is cultivating it by first making a bed on the land by mulching method. Due to the fact that the labor is less but the profit is more. Many farmers of the area are showing interest in this cultivation.
Agriculture department says that, squash is being cultivated in Bangladesh this first time. It is mostly good in Middle East countries. It is better known as a winter vegetable. This vegetable looks elongated. It is like the gourd and sweet pumpkin of our country. Delicious and healthy to eat. The farmers of the district are being supported in this cultivation from the agriculture department.
Farmer Asaduzzaman of Rajapur village of Amalsar union of Magura Sreepur upazila said, this is the first time I have succeeded in cultivating squash using mulching method. I received training in this cultivation from Sreepur Upazila Agriculture Office. Then concentrate on farming. Squash is an exotic vegetable. I cultivated it on 10 decimal of land. In this cultivation, I protected the crop from field insects by using Theromone trap. It cost me 8-10 thousand taka. This year I am hoping to sell squash vegetables worth 25-30 thousandtaka. Sreepur Upazila Agriculture Office has given me all advice and support in this cultivation.
Selim, another farmer of the same area, said, I have cultivated squash for the first time. It is a new type of vegetable crop. I have little idea in this cultivation. I contacted the Sripur Upazila Agriculture Office and with their overall advice, I cultivated squash for the first time on 10 decimal of land. A squash plant bears 6-7 fruits. Each fruit weighs about 1 kg to 2 kg. At present, many farmers of our village are showing interest in this cultivation after seeing us.
Sreepur Upazila Agriculture Officer Salma Zaman Nipa said, that squash is cultivated in different countries of the Middle East. This is the first time we have encouraged the farmers in this cultivation. The agriculture office has given training and advice to the farmers in this cultivation. It is a safe, tasty vegetable. This vegetable is native to Australia. Currently, this vegetable is being cultivated in our country as it is attractive and delicious. In this cultivation, the labor of the farmers is less and the profit is more. It has to be cultivated by mulching method. Apart from Sreepur Upazila, we are advising and assisting farmers in this cultivation in other upazilas of the district.
