Price of sweet pumpkin doubled in Jhenidah this year, making farmers happier; but it becomes expensive to consumers. Hashem Mia a sweet pumpkin farmer at Khajura village in sadar upazila, said last year, he sold his produce at Tk 180 to Tk 250 per maund, but this year it fetched him Tk 380-400 per maund. Businessmen are coming from Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayangang, Manikgang, Feni, Comilla and from many other places to buy it from us. “Sometimes, we sell it on a piece basis, and at times we make deal as per its weight,” he said.
He said: “It also looks like a bumper production of the vegetable this year. The colour is also much attractive.”
Yasin Ali another pumpkin farmer of Tentultola said, now in local market one piece of pumpkin is being sold Tk 25 to Tk 40 according to its size, quality and sweetness against Tk 20 to Tk 25 last year.
He said: “I have received Tk 20,000 by selling pumpkin produced on one bigha of land. Earlier, paddy or jute cultivate on the same land helped me earn an amount not more than Tk Tk 11,000 in net profit”.
Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Jhenidah said earlier, the farmers did not get fair price of pumpkin, leading to fall in its production.
They said 10 hectares of land have been brought under the cultivation in Sadar upazila, 85 hectares in Kaliganj upazila, 50 hectares in Kotchandpur upazila, 220 hectares in Moheshpur upazila. Last season, pumpkin yield was 12,735 on 685 hectares of land in the district.
The deputy director  of DAE of Jhenidah, Shah Md. Akramul Haque, said although the area of cultivation dropped this year the farmers expect a bumper production of pumpkin this season due timely sowing of quality seeds, proper application of pesticides, favorable climate and availability of other agricultural inputs.
He said: “We have inspired them by arranging various type of agriculture fair and exhibition, training and
organising field day.  The farmers of the district cultivated pumpkin without any disruption as the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) and the local non-governmental organisations (NGO) ensured ample supply of quality seeds,
agro-inputs and technical assistance to the growers.
Different commercial banks, including Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Sonali Bank, Agrani Bank and some NGO’s disbursed interest-free loans to the farmers, he added.