Farmers in the Rangpur agricultural region have surpassed the set target for ginger cultivation during the Kharif-1 season. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) had aimed for 55,753 tonnes of ginger production from 3,895 hectares of land across five districts. However, farmers have cultivated ginger on 4,054 hectares, exceeding the target by 159 hectares or 4.08 percent. This expansion has been driven by repeated bumper yields and favorable prices in recent years.
Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region, Krishibid Md Shirajul Islam, noted that farmers have completed sowing ginger seeds and seedlings and expanded cultivation using various methods. He highlighted the successful expansion of ginger cultivation on crop lands, homesteads, char, and fallow lands.
The government has supported this initiative by providing quality seeds, essential training, and easy-to-use agri-loans. Farmers like Shahinul Islam Bakul have increased their ginger cultivation, driven by the profitability of previous harvests.
Retail vegetable trader Fazlur Rahman reported that local ginger varieties are selling between Taka 220 and Taka 240 per kg, while imported Chinese ginger is priced between Taka 120 and Taka 140 per kg. Former Rangpur Chamber President Mostafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu praised the government's efforts and suggested the need for adequate storage facilities to ensure stable prices and reduce reliance on imports.
The success in ginger cultivation not only meets local demand but also has the potential to reduce foreign exchange expenditure on ginger imports, contributing to the economic stability of Bangladesh.
