For the first time, a consignment of bean produced in Chattogram’s Sitakunda upazila has been exported to Italy, raising hope among farmers of the upazila which is already famous for vegetable production. Farmers and agriculture officials said Sitakunda upazila is known for production of variety of vegetables including beans. Beans are seen on vast lands on both sides of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, on cropland, land alley, on both sides of the railway tracks, fallow land, embankments and even in hill slopes, they said. Read more: Prospects of Safe Broiler Chicken Farming The beans produced here are usually supplied to different parts of the country and this is the first time that this bean has been exported to Italy. Farmers said that although raw beans are sold in winter, dry bean seeds are sold throughout the year. Upazila Agriculture Officer said Md Habibullah said the soil of Sitakunda is suitable for bean cultivation and bean cultivation is more profitable than Boro paddy. “As a result, bean has been cultivated on 2,650 hectares of land in this upazila. This year, 47,000 metric tons of beans worth over Tk 100 crore will be produced.” Read more: Youth's success in orange farming sparks an agricultural trend in Kurigram

The prices of winter vegetables except potato decreased slightly as the supply  increased but meat and fish prices were still high in the kitchen market of the capital on Friday. Though the prices of vegetables have decreased, it was selling Tk 20 to 30 per kg higher compared with the same period of the last year. Comparatively, vegetables and all other commodities are exactly higher this year, than recent previous years, said Harun-Ur Rashid, a retired employee of the government. Talking with the UNB at Karwan Bazar kitchen market, he said potato, tomato, and carrot prices usually remain between Tk20 to 40 per kg during this time of season. But these items are selling between Tk60 to 70 per kg based on quality. Record jump in prices of onion, potatoes, and vegetables: CAB blames syndicated business These additional prices have become a burden for retired and fixed-income groups. Thus decreasing the prices of vegetables by Tk10 to 20 per kg iscnot bringing any relief to the consumers, he said. However, almost all winter vegetables were selling between Tk40 to 70 per kg in the Karwan Bazar on Friday. Potato was selling at Tk60 to 70 per kg, onion at Tk70 to per kg-based quality, garlic at Tk220 per kg, and ginger at Tk200 to 240 per kg in different markets of the capital. On the other hand, discomfort remains in the fish and meat market. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk200-220 per kg, and Sonaly chicken (Pakistani variety) at Tk320-340 per kg. Beef, which was sold at Tk 650 in many places a couple of weeks ago, is now being sold at Tk 700 per kg everywhere. Vegetable prices go up in Dhaka citing short supply after rain damaged fields Per dozen brown eggs (hens) at Tk135 to140, 5-10 taka less white eggs. Duck eggs were selling for Tk 180 to 190 per dozen while eggs of indigenous domestic rearing chicken were selling at Tk210 per dozen. The prices of fish are higher now compared with a few months ago. However, Tilapia, pangas, and carp were selling between Tk220 to 260 per kg. Among other fish, the price of medium size weighing 1.5 kg to 2 kg farming Rui, Katla, and Mrigel fish was selling at Tk 300 to Tk 400 per kg. Also, Pabda, Tengra, Koi, sheat (Boal),, chital, and Hilsa fish are not below Tk600 per kg. The bigger size fish prices like coral, Boal, and river pangas were selling between Tk700 to 1100 per kg at Karwan Bazar. Asked about the price hike,  Director General of the Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection (DNCRP) AHM Shafiquzzama told UNB that his office will launch a drive against the unusual price hike of these essentials. Winter is coming, vegetable prices will come down: Agri Minister He also said that a few months ago he asked different ministries and directorates to take steps to increase the supply of essentials including onions and potatoes to control prices. Shafiquzzama said during a visit to different cold storage in different districts he found enough stock of potatoes, despite the price increase. If the higher price of onion and potato continue, the government will decide to import those items, he said. Consumers Association of Bangladesh vice-president SM Nazer Hossain said consumers in Bangladesh are having a hard time amid record prices of commodities due to higher inflation. Farm egg, broiler chicken, and cultured fish are key protein sources for millions of poor in the country, he said. Prices of all such products have increased forcing a vast population to cut their protein and other nutrition-rich food intake, Nazer said.

Biryani is a mixed rice dish, originating among Muslims in the Indian subcontinent. Extremely popular across South Asia, similar dishes are also popular and prepared in other parts of the world including Iraq, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. Usually, Biryani is prepared with spices (Indian), rice, and some type of red meat or chicken. It can also be cooked without red meat, with potatoes, eggs, and other vegetables. Let’s explore delectable nontraditional biryani recipes.  5 Healthy Biryani Recipes Jackfruit Biryani Recipe Ingredients 1 cup curd, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste, ¼ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chili powder, 3 tbsp biryani masala, ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp lemon juice, 4 tsp oil, 3 tbsp coriander (chopped), 3 tbsp mint (chopped), 12 pieces jackfruit (raw), 1 carrot (chopped), 1 potato (chopped), 5 beans (chopped), 2 tbsp fried barista, 2 tbsp ghee / clarified butter, 8 cubes capsicum, and 2 tbsp saffron milk. Ingredients for biryani rice: 2 cup basmati rice, 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp pepper, ½ tsp cloves, 4 cardamoms, 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 chilies, and 1 tbsp salt. Read More: Unique Raw Mango Recipes for Summer 2023  Instructions First, take a bowl and the curd, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste, ¼ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chili powder, 3 tbsp biryani masala, ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 tsp oil, 3 tbsp coriander and 3 tbsp mint, the jackfruit, carrot, potato, beans, and 2 tbsp fried onions and combine well and keep in rest for about 30 minutes.  How to cook the rice for biryani: First, clean the rice and soak it for 20 minutes. Boil water and the spice in a deep pot and then add lemon juice, chili, and 1 tbsp salt, soaked rice and cook for 2 minutes, or as long as the rice is cooked (almost). Now take another deep pot and heat ghee and 2 tbsp oil and add 1 bay leaf, 1-inch cinnamon, 1 black cardamom, ½ tsp cloves, and 4 cardamoms. Then add 2 onions, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste capsicum, and cook for 2 minutes. Now add vegetables (marinated) until the vegetables become tender. Finally, layer the vegetables and the cooked rice evenly and top with 2 tbsp saffron milk, 2 tbsp coriander, 2 tbsp mint, 1 tsp biryani masala, and 2 tbsp ghee and keep in low heat for 30 minutes.  Read More: 8 Delectable Kabab Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen. Vegetable Biryani Recipe Ingredients 1 cup basmati rice (soaked), 6 cardamoms, 4 cloves divided, 1 teaspoon salt, 2.5 tablespoon ghee, 2 medium red onion (thinly sliced), 2 tablespoons cashews (broken), 1 small potato cubed, 1/2 cup cauliflower, 1 medium carrot, 5-6 green beans, 2 tbsp saffron milk, 1-inch ginger (crushed), 4-5 garlic cloves (crushed), 2 green chilies, 1.5 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1-inch cinnamon stick, 1 bay leaf, 1/3 cup yogurt, 1.5 teaspoon biryani masala, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons chopped mint, and 1.5 teaspoon rose water. 

Beetroot’s scientific name is Beta vulgaris. It is a root vegetable. It has numerous health benefits because of the huge amounts of phytochemical and nutritional components available in them. So, it is called functional food. Let’s check here the health benefits, uses, and side effects of beetroot.  Vitamins and Nutrients of Beetroot Beetroot is a colorful vegetable that has carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber, and various types of vitamins and minerals also. Per 100 grams of beetroot, you will get Calcium 8%, Vitamin C 4%, Iron 5%, Vitamin B6 5%, energy 43 kcal, Carbohydrates 9.56g, Proteins 1.61 g, Fibre 2.8 g, total fat 0.17g, Calcium 16g, Iron 0.8g, Magnesium 23 mg, Sodium 40mg, Potassium 325 mg, Phosphorous 40mg, Vitamin C 4.9mg, Thiamin 0.031mg, Riboflavin 0.4 mg, Folate 109 ¼ g, Vitamin B-6: 0.067 mg. Read More: Superfood Moringa Powder: Know Its Health Benefits, Side Effects. Top 10 Health Benefits of Beetroot We have already got the nutritional value of beetroot, let's check out now the top health benefits of Beetroot. Lower blood pressure Beetroot naturally occurs in nitrates which are diverted into nitric oxide in the human body. This nitric oxide can relax and expand blood vessels and so helps to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. In fact, beetroot is an excellent source of blood pressure by lowering blood pressure within a couple of hours. Grows stamina The nitrates in beet get converted into nitric oxide in the human body which helps to reduce the potential amount of oxygen. This oxygen can be expended for low-intensity exercises and also increases tolerance to high-intensity exercises. Research has shown that people who eat beet juice just before taking exercise are able to exercise for a longer period of time.   Good for heart patients Prominent amounts of triglycerides in your body cause consequential problems to the heart. Beetroot helps reduce triglycerides and cholesterol by increasing the amount of HDL cholesterol, namely good cholesterol. Besides, beetroot decreases the level of homocysteine as it contains the nutrient betaine. So, you can prevent the risk of heart attacks and strokes by taking beet regularly.  Reduce birth defects Beets are packed with Vitamin B folates and so it helps to form a baby’s spinal column. So you can add beetroot to your diet if you are pregnant as folate deficiency can lead to a number of complications including defects in the neural tubes and ultimately defects in the brain, spine, or spinal cord. However, you need to consult with your doctor when you are pregnant.  Prevent cancer The pigment betacyanins which are available in beetroot can prevent the growth of cancer cells. Beetroots are great to prevent colon, lung, and skin cancer. Meats are preserved using nitrates and the consumption of these meats may result in the formation of nitrosamine compounds in the body which ultimately leads to cancer. In this case, beetroot juice may reduce the cell mutations caused by these compounds. Read more: Sweet Potato Health Benefits: The Organic Affordable Super Food Beetroot juice for dementia With age, the blood flow to certain areas of the brain decreases which can lead to loss of cognition and eventual dementia. Studies have shown that drinking beetroot juice can improve the supply of oxygen to your brain and slows the progression of dementia as beetroots have high nitrate concentration.

Children's diets should include green, healthy, and nutritious vegetables to get the essential minerals, nutrients, and vitamins. Though kids are usually reluctant to eat vegetables, they can't ignore certain delicious vegetables like green peas. Children over six months can consume foods prepared with green peas. You can try various recipes with healthy green peas at home that your kids will love. Let’s check here 5 mouth-watering, hearty, and tasty green peas recipes for kids.   Food value of Green Pea or Motor Shuti Green peas are enriched with vitamins A, C, K, C, B1, and B6. They are also an excellent source of folate and niacin which is a wonderful addition to your kid’s diet. Besides, green peas have considerable amounts of iron and fiber, thiamine, manganese, and phosphorus. From ½ cup or 170-gram peas, you get calories: 62, carbs: 11 grams, fiber: 4 grams, and Protein: 4 grams. Health Benefits of peas -Good source of plant-based protein: help for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen around the body. -May improve blood sugar management: nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C in peas help support blood sugar management. -May support digestive health: fiber in peas supports digestive health and fuels the beneficial gut microbes and reduces the risk of a number of conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. -May support heart health: magnesium, potassium, and calcium in peas vitamin C are heart protective and support cardiovascular function.  -May be cancer protective: high antioxidant levels of peas may reduce the risk of cancer.  Read More: Easy Chicken, Beef and Mutton Nihari Recipes Everyone Will Love 5 Healthy and Yummy Green Pea Recipes for Kids Green Peas Pancake Recipe Ingredients 1 cup green peas, 1 whole zucchini, 2 medium bananas, 1 tsp olive oil, 1/2 cup flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt Instructions First, blend green peas, zucchini, bananas, vanilla extract, and oil together. Now, take a mixing bowl and mix well flour, baking powder, and salt.  Then combine together the zucchini mixture with the dry ingredients and prepare the batter very well. Take a pan, put 1½ tbsp batter on the pan and make it a round shape and bake on both sides well. Serve with syrup (maple). Read More: Mouth-watering Chotpoti, Fuchka, Tamarind Chatney Recipes for Home Kitchens

During the winter season, various colourful and nutritious vegetables become abundant in Bangladesh. These vegetables are amazingly healthy and beneficial for children’s health. Usually, children are reluctant to eat vegetables. However, you can prepare mouth-watering dishes for your lovely child with winter vegetables. We are here with 5 kid-special yummy winter vegetable curry recipes that you can try at home.  5 Delicious Winter Vegetable Curries for Children  Winter Vegetable Fruity Curry This winter vegetable fruity curry is easy to cook at home and it tastes absolutely delicious and healthy. You can prepare it with different vegetables that your children love. Therefore, you need to choose nutritious vegetables.  Ingredients: 750g of mixed winter vegetables including carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, potatoes, squash, pumpkin, cabbage, 1 medium or small onion, 1 large apple (cooking apple), 2 large bananas, 2 tomatoes, 2 tsp vegetable oil, 50g plain flour, 2 tsp curry powder, and 500ml reduced-salt vegetable stock. Method: First, wash and clean all vegetables well and cut them all into medium size pieces. Cook the mixed winter vegetables. Meanwhile, chop the onion, apple, and tomato nicely. Slice the bananas into small pieces also. Take a large non-stick saucepan, put oil and add the fruits into the pan.  Fry all vegetables and fruits on low heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Now add the flour and curry powder and stir well and stir in the stock. Cover the pan on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the previously cooked mixed vegetables and stir well. Serve warm with rice or roti.  Read 5 Simple One-Skillet Dinner Recipes for Busy Bachelors Chicken & sweet potato curry This is an aromatic and dairy-free curry. It contains chicken which provides not only protein but fibre also to keep your children feeling full longer. Ingredients 1 tbsp sunflower oil or usual oil, 1 onion (chopped), 450g chicken thigh (boneless, skinless), 165g korma paste, 2 garlic cloves (crushed), 500g sweet potato, 400g chopped tomato, 100g baby spinach. Method First, clean the chicken and cut it into bite-size pieces. Then peel the sweet potatoes and clean them. Cut them into small pieces.  Heat the oil in a pan and then add the onion to the pan. Fry the onion over low heat for about 5 mins. Then add the chicken pieces, increase the heat and fry them until they become brown. Add curry paste and garlic and cook for 2 mins. Now add 100ml water, the sweet potato pieces, and chopped tomatoes. Cover and cook for 20-25 mins or as long as the chicken is cooked through and the sweet potato is tender. Now add a splash of more water if necessary. Add the spinach and stir well. Remove the pan from the heat and continue stirring until the spinach has become softened. Serve with rice. Read 12 foods that shouldn’t be given to babies and children Pumpkin curry with chickpeas This recipe is easy and simple to prepare. It is a delectable and nutritious food for your kids in the cold season. A fragrant veggie curry made featuring warming spices, fresh veggies, and chickpeas.  Ingredients 1 tbsp oil, 3 tbsp curry paste, 2 onions (finely chopped), 1 tbsp mustard seed, 1 piece pumpkin (about 1kg), 250ml vegetable stock, 400ml can reduced-fat coconut milk, 400g can chickpea (drained and rinsed), large handful mint leaves. Method First, peel off the pumpkin and wash well. Then cut the pumpkin into pieces. Heat the oil in the pan and fry the curry paste with the onions and mustard seed for 2-3 mins as long as it spread fragrant. Add the pumpkin to the pan. Then add the stock and coconut milk. Bring everything to a boil and then the chickpeas. Cook for about 10 mins or until the pumpkin becomes tender. Serve with plain rice or roti.  Read Top brain foods for studying and exams Cauliflower, squash, coconut & lentil curry Do your kid like coconut? When you have nutritious winter vegetables like cauliflower, squash and lentil, you can make a delightful curry with these veggies along with coconut. Ingredients 1 tbsp oil, 1 onion (chopped), 1 tbsp garam masala, 1 tbsp turmeric, 200g red lentils, 400ml can coconut milk, small bunch coriander (chopped), cooked wholegrain rice (to serve), and coconut yogurt (dairy free). For the roast cauliflower & squash base 1 cauliflower, ½ large squash (cut into cubes), 1 tbsp oil Method First, for the base prepare the oven to 180C/160C fan. Then, season the cauliflower and squash with oil and then spread them on an oven tray. Roast them for about 25 mins or as long as they become tender. You can also prepare the base earlier and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a month.  Now, heat oil in a pan add the onion, and cook until the onions become soft and brown. Now add the spices and cook for 2 to 3 mins. Then add the lentils, coconut milk, and 200ml water and bring to a boil.  Cook the mixture for about 20 mins. After that add the roast veg and cook for a further 10 mins. Add a little water if necessary. Add the coriander. Mix well and remove from the simmer. Serve with rice and yogurt. Read Top Instagrammable rooftop restaurants in Banani Mixed Vegetable Curry Recipe  During the winter season various colourful and nutritious veggies are available in the market. Using several types of vegetables you can prepare a mixed vegetable curry. Your child will also like it. Ingredients 1.2 kilos mixed cold weather vegetables including carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, etc., 2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 medium onion (finely sliced), 1 teaspoon salt, a "thumb" of fresh ginger, 4 cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 400 ml coconut milk, freshly ground black pepper, basmati rice. Instructions First, wash and cut the vegetables into small cubes. Heat the oil and add the onions and salt, and cook for 3 minutes. Make sure you stir frequently. Cook the onions as long as it becomes softened. Then add the ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, and cook for another 1 minute.  Now, add the vegetables, two-thirds of the coconut milk, and 120 ml water. Cover the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.  Minimize the heat and cook for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the remaining coconut milk, cook for another 2 minutes and sprinkle with black pepper. Now it is ready. Serve with basmati rice and chutney. Read Health Benefits of Nigella Seeds (Kalijira) Bottom Line So far, we have shared 5 recipes for winter vegetable curries for children. The adult family members will enjoy these recipes too. The taste, colour, and flavour of the food may change depending on cooking style and skills. You can customize the ingredients depending on the precise choice of your children. 

The vegetable growers of Cumilla had always worried about their produce for lack of marketing and storage facilities, but now there has been a surprising reverse in their fate. It all began with when they started exporting vegetables to the Middle East and Europe with the help of a government marketing centre. Huge vegetables are now exported from Nimsar Bazar in Cumilla, the largest wholesale vegetable market of the country, said farmers. Read: Railway launches luggage van to transport vegetables These vegetables are collected from 400 marginal farmers who formed 20 associations with the help of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). The export volume of the chemical-free vegetables keeps rising, bringing back smiles to the farmers’ faces. According to the Agricultural Products Procurement and Marketing Centre located at Nimsar Bazar, seven tonnes of vegetables are exported from the district every month on average while it goes up to 10 tonnes during winter. Vegetables like arum lobe, bottle gourd, pumpkin, cucumber, snake bean, bitter gourd, luffa gourd, malabar spinach, red spinach and eggplant are exported to the Middle East and European countries. Sajeeb Molla, an official at Agricultural Products Procurement and Marketing Centre, Cumilla said 4,620 kgs of arum lobe were exported to the UK and Italy, 1,015 kgs of bottle gourd to Italy, 220 kgs of cucumber to the UK, 220 kgs of pumpkin to Italy in September. According to the DAE, some 21,090 hectares of land were brought under vegetable cultivation and some 4,72,374 metric tonnes of vegetables have been produced in the district this year. Only 1.5 lakh metric tonnes of vegetables are needed for the district to meet the local demand while several hundred tonnes of vegetables are supplied to Dhaka, Chattogram, Noakhali, Feni, Laxmipur and Chandpur districts, said DAE officials. Read: Kurigram farmers turning to vegetable cultivation

Jashore farmers had been worrying at the sharp fall in cabbage price, but the recent initiative to export the winter vegetable to Singapore has brought smile to their faces.

Defying the government’s fixed rate of Tk 30 per kg, traders are selling potatoes at double prices in the kitchen markets of the capital, pinching the pockets of customers.