Photo: Messenger
Farmers in Sharsha of Jashore, have made significant strides in cultivating the exotic leaf vegetable, lettuce, marking a shift towards high-value, safe, and novel crop varieties. This year, foreign varieties of lettuce have been successfully grown in select areas of Sadar and Ulashi Union, signaling a potential boom in the local agricultural sector.
Lettuce, scientifically known as Lactuca sativa, is a member of the Asteraceae family and is primarily cultivated for its leaves, though its stem and seeds are also edible. It is a staple in salads and is increasingly finding its way into various culinary creations.
Tarun Kumar Bala, an Agricultural Extension Officer in Sharsha, highlighted the growing interest among farmers in cultivating foreign crops that offer better returns compared to traditional, less profitable options. In the agricultural lands of Jadunathpur (Harikhali) block in Panburi village, Chinese lettuce is among the various seasonal vegetables being cultivated, showcasing the diversification of crops in the area.
Farmer Lipi Khatun shared insights into lettuce cultivation, emphasizing the importance of proper land fertilization. She explained that lettuce can be grown either by direct seeding or by transplanting seedlings grown in seed beds. The spacing between rows should be 12 inches, with 8 inches between plants.
Imdadul Haque, a farmer from South Burujbagan village, revealed that they cultivate the "Green Rapid" variety of lettuce, which requires high-quality seeds that are often sourced from Dhaka's Siddique Bazar. Despite the high cost of seeds, lettuce can be harvested within 45 days of planting.
Sultana Parveen, a Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer, noted that lettuce cultivation is typically year-round in winter countries, with seeds sown from October to January. She expressed optimism that creating a local market for lettuce could greatly benefit farmers in Sharsha.
Farmer Rokunuzzaman highlighted the challenges faced in marketing lettuce, as its consumption is not widely understood among the general population. However, lettuce leaves are sold in pieces in markets like Jatrabari, Shyambazar, and Kawranbazar in Dhaka, fetching prices ranging from Tk 10 to Tk 50 per piece. Despite the low sales, lettuce cultivation is cost-effective, with expenses on labor, tillage, fertilizers, pesticides, and other miscellaneous costs being manageable.
Under the sustainable agriculture extension project in the Jashore region, lettuce cultivation has been promoted, with 132 acres of land dedicated to its demonstration. The Upazila Agriculture Officer, Deepak Kumar Saha, emphasized the support provided by the agriculture office to farmers interested in growing lettuce.
Dr. Habibur Rahman Habib, a specialist at Satkhira Sadar Hospital, highlighted the nutritional benefits of lettuce, which is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, making it a healthy dietary choice.
Rebeka Sultana Shilpi, a nutritionist and teacher at Sharsha Government Pilot Secondary School, emphasized the versatility of lettuce in various culinary preparations and its global market demand, particularly in Middle Eastern countries, where it is widely used in salads and as a garnish.
Messenger/Faria
