A farmer in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya upazila has achieved notable success by cultivating Chinese radish on one kani of land, earning a substantial profit within just 50 days.
Amir Hossain cultivated the radish on a plot of land adjacent to the Ali Para Mosque in Ward No 8 of Haldia Palong Union. After harvesting and selling the crop within a short period, he secured a net profit of around Tk 52,000.
According to details, Amir Hossain spent Tk 8,000 on purchasing seeds for Chinese radish cultivation, while an additional Tk 20,000 was incurred for farming and maintenance. The total production cost stood at Tk 28,000.
Owing to a good yield, he sold the radish directly from the field at Tk 15 per kilogram, generating sales worth approximately Tk 80,000.
The lush green leaves and dense yield made the field appear unrecognisable as a radish farm from a distance. After harvesting, the leftover leaves were used as cattle feed, which local residents collected free of cost to meet their livestock needs.
Amir Hossain said that a trader from Cox’s Bazar’s main market purchased the entire harvest at once. While radish prices in the market were nearly three times higher, direct field-level sales at a comparatively lower price proved beneficial for both the farmer and the buyer, he added.
He further said that preparations were underway to cultivate okra on the same land following the radish harvest. During the monsoon season, paddy will be grown on the plot. In this way, he plans to produce three crops a year from the same land, ensuring its maximum utilisation.
Local farmers said that Amir Hossain’s success has inspired others in the area to take up short-duration, profitable vegetable farming. Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension said that with proper planning and the use of modern vegetable varieties, it is possible to make substantial profits within a short time, citing Amir Hossain’s initiative as a practical example.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
