Soybean cultivation on sandy land in river shoals has been successful in eradicating poverty in Noakhali district. Although farmers lost their crops to cyclone Mohasen in 2013 they overcame the losses in the following years due to bumper production. Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE)  said this year 16225 hectares of land have been brought under cultivation of soybean in the district and production target set at 98,963 tonnes. They said the production in the current season is good because of favorable weather and availability of seeds at fair price. Farmers expect to harvest 30 to 35 maunds of soybean this year. The people of char (shoal) areas have been attaining remarkable success in eradicating poverty through the cultivation of soybean in the sandy soil. Farmers say they get technical support from the DAE at times of  crisis such as storm and cyclone. Nearly Tk one crore worth of soybean is expected to be traded this month in the district. Representatives from edible oil companies and poultry feed farms will come here to buy soybean.