Two farmers in Kumarkhali upazila have achieved a good harvest of pesticide-free bitter gourd using Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for the first time in the area, but low market prices have left them struggling to earn returns that match their higher cultivation costs.

Green bitter gourd vines laden with fresh produce grow on bamboo and net trellises inside a three-bigha field enclosed by blue nets in Dhalnagar village under Chandpur Union.

Farmers Dabir Uddin Farazi and Abdul Bari have cultivated the Alisa variety of bitter gourd on the land using GAP, an environment-friendly farming approach aimed at producing safe and quality food while reducing dependence on chemical pesticides.

Over the past 10 days, they have sold around 2,200 kg of bitter gourd at wholesale prices ranging from Tk 30 to Tk 55 per kg, earning around Tk 65,000-70,000.

They expect to harvest and sell another 4,000 kg or more over the next one and a half months if weather conditions remain favourable, with the expected market value exceeding Tk 250,000.

However, the farmers say they are not receiving any premium for their pesticide-free produce as there is no separate market or designated corner for pesticide-free vegetables.

“GAP cultivation costs more because we have to buy nets, traps and organic fertiliser. But the yield is good and the vegetables are healthy. Consumers are still reluctant to pay a higher price for pesticide-free vegetables,” said Dabir Uddin.

He said they spent around Tk 180,000 on land preparation, seeds, materials and cultivation on the three bighas.

He said bitter gourd was selling at around Tk 70-80 per kg at this time last year, while the current wholesale price has fallen to Tk 35-55 per kg, he added.

“We are not making a loss, but the profit is very low compared with the effort and additional cost involved in pesticide-free cultivation,” he said.

Abdul Bari said pesticide-free and conventionally grown vegetables are sold in the same market at almost the same price.

“We want a separate corner for pesticide-free vegetables in the markets. That would allow consumers to identify and buy them and help farmers get a fair price,” he said.

Higher cost of pesticide-free farming

During a recent visit to Dhalnagar fields, this correspondent found the three-bigha plot surrounded by blue netting.

Pheromone traps and biological pesticides were being used to control pests, while organic fertiliser was being applied to the soil.

The farmers said they hope their pesticide-free bitter gourd will eventually reach major markets in Kushtia and Dhaka, where consumers will be able to identify the produce through proper labelling and farmers will receive a fair price.

The trend is not limited to GAP cultivation, with farmers in the area also adopting modern and mulching methods.

Farmer Ujjal Chowdhury of Dhalnagar village said he cultivated bitter gourd on eight decimals of land last year, spending around Tk 12,000 and selling produce worth about Tk 60,000.

Encouraged by the returns, he expanded cultivation to 10 decimals this year. He has already sold 90 kg of bitter gourd over the past week.

“If we get a fair price, I will cultivate bitter gourd on more land next year,” he said.

Another farmer, Mohan Sheikh, said he spent around Tk 50,000 last year to cultivate bitter gourd on one bigha using the mulching method and earned about Tk 150,000.

This year, he spent around Tk 60,000 on early cultivation on a similar area and has already sold produce worth around Tk 150,000.

He said he wants to adopt pesticide-free cultivation along with mulching if he receives agricultural incentives.

Farmer Abdul Majed of Jotmora village under Jadurayra Union has cultivated the Nabila and Alisa varieties of bitter gourd on 20 decimals using modern methods.

“Fruiting started just 40 days after planting the seedlings,” he said, adding that farmers can produce around 55-60 maunds per bigha at a cost of Tk 35,000-40,000.

However, lower prices than last year are limiting his profit.

Wholesale trader Milon Hossain of Panty Tohabazar said there is no separate corner for pesticide-free vegetables at the market.

“Bitter gourd was selling at Tk 55-60 per kg around 20 days ago. The current wholesale price is Tk 30-35,” he said.

Bitter gourd cultivation expands

According to the Kumarkhali Upazila Agriculture Office, bitter gourd has been cultivated on around 52 hectares of land in the upazila this year, including three bighas under GAP practices.

The department expects production of around 500 tonnes of bitter gourd, with an estimated market value of more than Tk 15 million.

Modern and mulching methods are also being used widely in the upazila.

“Farmers have cultivated bitter gourd on around 21 bighas of land in Dhalnagar alone because of the prospect of higher returns within a short period,” said Upazila Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Md Biltu Hossain.

He said GAP and mulching methods can help produce safer vegetables while reducing dependence on chemical pesticides.

“If separate market corners are introduced for pesticide-free vegetables, more farmers will be encouraged to adopt the method,” he said.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Monir Hossain said the agriculture department is providing training to farmers on GAP-based cultivation.

“Vegetables produced through GAP are safer for consumers. But a separate marketing arrangement is necessary to ensure farmers receive a fair price,” he said.

The department will propose establishing a separate market for pesticide-free vegetables at the upazila level, he added.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Akhter said separate corners for pesticide-free vegetables could be introduced in local markets if production expands significantly.

The move, she said, could help create greater awareness among consumers and encourage farmers to produce more safe vegetables.

What is GAP?

Good Agricultural Practices, or GAP, refers to environment-friendly farming methods designed to ensure safe and quality food production while protecting soil health, maintaining environmental balance and improving safety and working conditions for farmers.

The practices can also help improve the quality and marketability of agricultural products, including for export.

What is mulching?

Mulching involves covering the soil around plants with materials such as straw, leaves, water hyacinth or plastic sheets.

The protective layer helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, regulate temperature, reduce soil erosion and improve soil conditions.