BSS, Rajshahi
Agronomists, researchers and scientists revealed that there has been a bright prospect of broccoli farming commercially everywhere in the northwestern region of the country. They said the prolonged winter climate being experienced in the region is suitable for cultivation of the non-conventional crop that is commonly known as green cauliflower.
Its plant and flower is similar to the cauliflower and its green leaves can be consumed directly. But price of broccoli in the markets is three times more than cauliflower. The unusual vegetable is gradually becoming popular among the urban people and in recent time, the Chinese restaurants are using broccoli for making soup.
Joint Director of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) Sarder Salahuddin told BSS that the crop is unfamiliar to the farmers and consumers of the rural areas. He said the horticulture improvement centers under BADC have taken initiative to make farming of the crop popular among the growers level.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has also grown the crop in projection plots aimed at encouraging the farmers towards boosting its production commercially. In terms of nutritive aspect, Salahuddin said the vegetable should be added to the diet list of the common people as it is very advantageous as vegetable.
He said the vegetable could easily be cultivated in the normal farming field as it is more tolerable to high-temperature than cauliflower and cabbage. Deputy Director of DAE, Rajshahi Braja Hari Das said nutritive value of the crop is more than any other winter vegetable including cabbage and cauliflower. It contains antioxidant and anticancer ingredient that can enhance resistance of various diseases.
Besides, he said many people consume it directly or boiled as it could be digested easily. So, he said commercial farming of the crop is very potential. In this context, he said, importance should be given on encouraging the farmers through providing them with necessary inputs. He said the farming method is almost similar to the cabbage and cauliflower.
At least 40,000 to 50,000 plants could be produced from per hectare of land in 65-70 days.
Courtesy of www.thebangladeshtoday.com
