NALBARI, Nov 10 - At a time when a good number of youths are running after government jobs, a young farmer of Maju Siral village in Nalbari district, has set an example of self-employment through his vibrant pumpkin cultivation. Pumpkin cultivation has been playing a vital role in strengthening the economic condition of the farmers in Nalbari district. The youth, Saidur Rahman, has also been engaged in the cultivation for the last eight years and growing pumpkins commercially covering huge areas.
While talking to this correspondent, the youth said he used large areas on the bank of the mighty Pagladia river for the cultivation of pumpkins. The deserted areas on the river bank have now become a fertile ground for the cultivation. Rahman mentioned that used an area of 45 bighas for the purpose, taking the land on lease. Eight years back, he cultivated pumpkins in an area of only eight bighas. Rahman said he earned more than Rs 7.5 lakh by producing pumpkins, particularly the Arjuna variety, last year. �This time I expect to earn around Rs 8 lakh,� he said.
Apart from pumpkins, Rahman also grows bottle gourds in a three-bigha area and claimed to have earned Rs 1.20 lakh by selling this vegetable alone. He said he also earned Rs 18,000 this time from his papaya cultivation. The Nalbari Krishi Vigyan Kendra has supported him with some technical know-how, although he has not received any financial help from the government so far.
It may be mentioned that growing pumpkins in loose soil, like in the river bank areas, during the rabi season is very difficult as the soil moisture level is very low due to poor water-holding capacity. Pumpkin cultivation in the off-season, during July-August, on the river bank helps the farmers in drastically reducing irrigation costs. Rahman, therefore, started his cultivation in the month of August. An expert has estimated that pumpkins planted during July-August can yield up to Rs 2,25,000 on an average against an investment of Rs 45,000 per hectare. A total of six families have received employment in his farm.
