Polyshade tomato farming reviving Narail's rural economy

A quiet agricultural revolution is taking place in Narail, where farmers are turning to year-round polyshade tomato cultivation for higher yields and better profits. Things look to be very encouraging.

With support from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under the Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management Project, farmers in Tularampur of Narail Sadar Upazila have planted the summer variety Bari-8 with remarkable success.

Thanks to modern techniques and proper care, the yields have been impressive, and profits are encouraging.

As market prices stay high, farmers' interest in tomato farming is growing. We provide them with training, technical advice, and necessary inputs. Cultivating tomatoes on one acre costs roughly Tk3,00,000, but farmers can earn Tk2,50,000 to Tk3,00,000 in net profit

Rajib Biswas, sub-assistant agriculture officer at Tularampur union

Kamalpur farmer Kamrul Islam shared his story proudly.

"I cultivated tomatoes on 20 decimals of land after receiving training from the agriculture office. I spent about Tk60,000, and I expect to make a profit of Tk1,00,000 to Tk1,50,000," he said.

Another farmer, Baharul Molya, said, "I usually grow other crops, but when tomato prices went up, I decided to try summer tomatoes this year. I got good yields and expect solid profits after expenses."

Farmer Rana Molya credited training from the agriculture office for helping him control diseases and boost production.

"There's high demand in the local market. I sold tomatoes at Tk80–90 per kilogram wholesale. With expenses around Tk60,000, I expect to earn Tk1,00,000 to Tk1,60,000 in profit," he said.

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Encouraged by these results, many other farmers are preparing to switch to tomato farming.

According to Rajib Biswas, a sub-assistant agriculture officer at Tularampur union, summer tomatoes were grown on about 1.5 acres of land this year.

"As market prices stay high, farmers' interest in tomato farming is growing. We provide them with training, technical advice, and necessary inputs. Cultivating tomatoes on one acre costs roughly Tk3,00,000, but farmers can earn Tk2,50,000 to Tk3,00,000 in net profit," Rajib said.

With growing demand and impressive returns, more farmers are expected to take up tomato cultivation in Narail next year.

The success of this venture is not only boosting incomes but also reshaping the rural economy — offering new hope and opportunity in the heart of Bangladesh's farmland.