Khan Sujan, Srinagar (Munshiganj)

The early harvest of bottle gourds hanging in the homesteads of settlers on the Padma River’s char (river island) in Srinagar's Baghra Union has brought smiles to the locals.

Around 200 families reside on this char, approximately two kilometers south of Baghra Bazaar. Their courtyards are adorned with high trellises laden with numerous gourds. After meeting their household needs, they are selling the surplus in local markets.

At a time when the rising prices of vegetables in open markets are burdening consumers, these char dwellers find self-sufficiency in their homegrown produce. Currently, medium-sized early-season gourds are being sold at Tk. 50 to Tk. 80 per piece. Most families on the char cultivate various seasonal vegetables on the fertile river land, yielding financial benefits as well.

A field visit revealed that settlers in the remote, electricity-deprived areas of Ward No. 4 in Baghra Union are growing indigenous varieties of bottle gourds in their courtyards. Beneath the gourd trellises, they have set up lower platforms to grow vine spinach, ridge gourd, and hyacinth beans. Additionally, many households have developed vegetable gardens featuring chili peppers, eggplants, sweet pumpkins, wax gourds, and red spinach.

Apart from farming, the char dwellers sustain themselves through fishing in the Padma River and rearing livestock. The women of these families are contributing by cultivating seasonal vegetables to cut household expenses.

Residents like Jafar Sarkar, Samu Sarkar, Jahangir Bepari, Nurali Bepari, Himu, and Kabir Sarkar shared that around 200 families have made this char their permanent home. While the men engage in fishing and daily labor, they also rear livestock and cultivate vegetables. Almost every household now has an early harvest of indigenous bottle gourds hanging from trellises.

After fulfilling their own needs, they sell the fresh gourds in local markets. Due to high demand, they are pleased to fetch good prices for their produce.