Intercropping onions with pointed gourd yields high profits 

In Jhikargachha of Jashore, many farmers are reaping the benefits of cultivating onions without incurring substantial expenses. Their secret? Intercropping onions in pointed gourd fields. This innovative approach has led to bountiful yields, especially considering the soaring market prices of onions. 

As a result, the once-struggling farmers are now seeing brighter prospects, fueling the anticipation of increased participation in this practice in the future.

One such farmer, Osman Gani from Belemathpara of Bodhkhana village, has embarked on this journey with high hopes. Cultivating onions as a companion crop in a 24th-century land, Osman aims to pocket at least 40,000 taka from his efforts. Recounting his process, Osman explains how he received onion seeds from the agriculture office last November, which were then nurtured in seedbeds before being transplanted at the 25-26 day mark. 

Prior to this, the field was occupied by pointed gourd plants, making the onion a companion crop. Benefiting from government-provided fertilizers, Osman emphasizes that this venture involves minimal expenses, translating into maximum profits upon selling the onions. His enthusiasm is palpable as he describes the impressive size of the onions, with 8-9 bulbs making up a kilogram, resulting in a harvest of 20 maunds. Wholesalers have already quoted prices as high as 2000 taka per maund, further elevating Osman's expectations.

This success story is not isolated. According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Directorate, 600 small and marginal farmers in the upazila received seeds and chemical fertilizers to cultivate summer onion crops in the Kharip-2 season as part of an agricultural incentive program in the financial year 2023-24. These farmers were provided with essential resources, including summer onion seeds and DAP and MOP fertilizers, along with assistance in land preparation, irrigation, and labor, all at a subsidized rate. Assistant Agriculture Officer Ayub Hossain notes that despite being a summer crop, these onions have thrived exceptionally well even in the winter season.

Emboldened by success stories like Osman's, other farmers like Rubia Begum of Barbakpur village and Mikail Hossain of Bodhkhana have also ventured into onion cultivation alongside pointed gourd, fetching similar profits. With minimal costs and promising returns, the allure of this practice is rapidly spreading among farmers, promising a brighter future for agriculture in the region. As smiles adorn the faces of these farmers, optimism blooms, paving the way for a flourishing agricultural landscape.