Mulching method boosts vegetable yields and profits for farmers in Jashore
Photo Collected
Farmers in the Manirampur upazila of Jashore are achieving significant agricultural success by adopting mulching techniques, a method that is transforming local vegetable cultivation and boosting seasonal profitability. By using plastic film to cover vegetable beds, growers are protecting their crops from excessive rainfall and soil-borne diseases, allowing them to harvest high-yield crops even during the monsoon season when fields traditionally remained fallow.
Mukul Hossain, a farmer from Hayatpur village, has emerged as a prime example of this success. After applying the mulching method to his 45-decimal plot of bitter gourd, he has already cleared 80,000 taka in profit and anticipates total seasonal earnings exceeding 100,000 taka. Hossain credits the technique for preventing waterlogging around plant roots and effectively suppressing weed growth, which significantly reduces the need for expensive pesticides and manual labor.
The shift toward this sustainable practice is gaining momentum across Hayatpur, Mobarakpur, and surrounding areas. While these fields were once barren during the heavy rains of Shravan due to crop rot, they now flourish with eggplant, cucumber, pointed gourd, and teasel gourd. Local farmers, initially skeptical of the additional setup, have been swayed by the visible prosperity of pioneers like Mizanur Rahman Tuku, who began experimenting with the method six years ago. Tuku, who currently manages four bighas of land using these techniques, noted that the community’s perspective shifted once the economic advantages became undeniable.
This agricultural transition is being supported by the non-governmental organization Nobolok Parishad, with financial backing from the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). The program provided training and essential mulching materials—valued at 15,000 taka per person—to an initial cohort of ten farmers. According to Nobolok Parishad agricultural officer Prince Haldar, the organization aims to expand this initiative to include at least 50 farmers in the near future to further scale the financial benefits of improved agricultural practices.
Government officials are actively endorsing the transition, highlighting the efficiency gains associated with the technology. Manirampur Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahmuda Akter confirmed that mulching reduces labor requirements by 20 percent and chemical fertilizer usage by 30 percent. Depending on weather conditions, the method can increase crop yields by 10 to 50 percent, making it a critical tool for local farmers looking to mitigate climate-related risks and increase their market competitiveness.
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