Broccoli farming is lifting incomes for many growers in the Rajshahi region as they switch from traditional winter vegetables to this higher value crop. Farmers report that broccoli brings much better returns than cauliflower and cabbage, so more fields are being planted with its green heads each season. Local agriculture officers and research teams are teaching simple planting and care techniques that many farmers already know from cabbage, making the change easier and faster. Farmers say Rajshahi’s soil and a cooler winter climate suit broccoli well, and that recent winters have helped yields improve. Extension workers and research stations are running demonstration plots and giving technical advice on seed selection, spacing and harvest timing so growers can raise healthy plants and reduce losses. Those programs also show how to manage pests and water so farmers can protect crops while keeping costs in check. Many families in villages such as Pirijpur, Harinbiska and Palpur have seen clear gains after switching small plots to broccoli and testing ideas from the demonstration farms. A farmer from Pirijpur said he found broccoli easier to market because it reaches both wholesale markets and city shops that want fresh, high quality produce. Another grower explained that one bigha planted with broccoli can bring steady sales when heads fetch a good market price, and that careful planting on 15 kathas showed encouraging results last season. Local sellers also note that broccoli is in demand at hotels and restaurants that use it for soups and healthy dishes, so urban customers now buy regularly. Scientists at the national research institute point out that broccoli is rich in vitamins and minerals, and this nutritional value drives interest among buyers who want healthy options. Because broccoli tolerates warmer days better than some other winter vegetables, it gives farmers a flexible choice when weather can vary, and this can cut the risk of crop loss. Market agents say broccoli often sells at several times the price of cauliflower, which helps farmers cover inputs such as seed and fertilizer and still earn a useful margin. Small and medium growers benefit most at first because they can shift a part of their land without upending other crops. Officials and farmers both see a bright commercial future for broccoli in the northwest if training continues and if local traders help carry produce to larger city markets. The early success has encouraged neighbours to try small trial plots, and many hope that continued support will turn these trials into steady incomes that improve livelihoods and make farm work more rewarding while keeping farming practical and simple. With planning and care, broccoli could become a dependable, high-value crop that boosts family incomes across the region and prosperity.
