Carrot harvesting is underway in Manda Upazila, Bangladesh, with favorable yields reported this season. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) attributes this to suitable weather conditions, the absence of long-term cold waves, and quality seeds.
Manda Upazila leads in carrot cultivation within the district. Farmers are increasingly interested in carrot farming due to lower labor and cost requirements, higher production, and favorable market prices.
The DAE reports carrot cultivation on 600 bighas in the upazila, notably in villages like Bilkarilya, Kusumba, and Badalghata. An estimated 2,700,000 kg (72,000 maunds) of carrots, valued at approximately $320,000, are expected from the upazila.
Local farmer Hanif Uddin Mandal stated, "This time, I have cultivated carrots on 15 bighas of land, spending $125–$135 per bigha. The production of carrots per bigha is 4,875–5,250 kg (130 to 140 maunds). I expect a profit of $355–$400 per bigha, excluding expenses."
Nizam Uddin, another farmer, anticipates yields of 4,125–4,500 kg (110 to 120 maunds) per bigha, having expanded his cultivation to 15 bighas this year. Initially, carrots sold for $0.27–$0.31 per kilogram, but increased supply has reduced prices to $0.13–$0.15 per kilogram, impacting profits.
Carrot cleaning in Bilkarilya occurs daily, processing 75,000 kg (2,000 maunds) for distribution across Bangladesh, including Naogaon and Rajshahi. Abul Kalam Azad, DAE deputy director, noted that favorable conditions have boosted production, with expectations of selling carrots worth about $460,000 from Manda upazila.
Source: The Business Standard