With the arrival of early winter, farmers have begun preparing for the seasonal cultivation of winter vegetables. Taking advantage of the growing demand, seedling markets have become increasingly vibrant across different areas of Charfasson upazila in Bhola. Vendors are displaying seedlings of papaya, chilli, eggplant, tomato, bottle gourd and various other vegetables on market days, attracting local farmers. Hybrid varieties are particularly in demand, while seasonal trading is creating additional income opportunities for many vendors.

Seedling stalls are set up on market days at at least 10 to 12 major markets in the upazila, including Charfasson Bazar, Chairman Hat, Shashibhushan, Dular Hat and Dakshin Aicha Bazar. Most of the seedlings sold at these markets are collected wholesale from Swarupkathi in Pirojpur, Pabna and Jashore. Local farmers also supply seedlings to traders.

At Charfasson Bazar, this correspondent spoke with seedling vendor Idris Mia. A professional boatman, he has been selling vegetable seedlings in the afternoons for nearly three years to earn extra income alongside his main occupation. He regularly brings seedlings from Swarupkathi according to local demand and also collects seedlings from local growers.

Idris Mia said he makes a profit of Tk 1 to Tk 2 on each seedling. Although the profit per plant is small, selling large quantities generates a reasonable income. The business has helped him supplement his earnings and support his family.

Meanwhile, Zahir Mia has been selling vegetable seedlings at Charfasson Bazar, Chairman Hat and Shashibhushan Bazar for around 15 to 16 years. As a farmer himself, he has considerable experience in assessing the quality of seedlings.

According to Zahir Mia, seedlings brought from Swarupkathi are generally fresher than those produced locally. There, vegetable seedlings are cultivated on floating beds, locally known as dhap, in waterlogged areas covered with water hyacinths. The water hyacinths beneath the beds retain moisture for an extended period, allowing the seedlings to remain fresh even after long-distance transportation and several days in the market. Farmers can also purchase the seedlings and plant them in their fields at a convenient time.

Zahir Mia said many familiar farmers in the area purchase large quantities of seedlings from him. He earns approximately Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000 a month from the business. However, sales increase several times ahead of winter compared with other periods of the year. Hundreds of farmers visit the markets during this season to buy different varieties of seedlings as part of their preparations for winter vegetable cultivation.

Harun Talukdar, a vegetable farmer who came to the market to purchase seedlings, said one of the biggest advantages of buying from local markets is the opportunity to inspect the plants personally and select the preferred varieties. The seedlings available at the markets are relatively mature and can produce crops within a short period of being transplanted. This allows farmers to bring their vegetables to market at the right time and secure better prices.

He said he had purchased more than 100 hybrid papaya, eggplant and bottle gourd seedlings from four vendors at Charfasson market that day. Whenever he needs seedlings, he visits the market. The opportunity to select healthy and fresh plants is why he prefers buying seedlings directly from the market.

Charfasson Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Nazmul Huda said selecting healthy, strong and disease-free seedlings is essential for achieving good vegetable yields. Farmers should carefully examine the age of the plants, condition of the roots, colour of the leaves and signs of diseases before purchasing seedlings. In particular, when buying hybrid varieties, they should ensure the reliability of the source and the authenticity of the variety. Planting quality seedlings of suitable varieties can help increase vegetable production and improve yields.

Overall, the bustling seedling trade in Charfasson’s markets is not only advancing preparations for winter vegetable cultivation but also creating new livelihood opportunities in rural communities. While some vendors have found a way to earn extra income alongside their primary occupations, others have turned the business into their main source of livelihood. The growing trade reflects a vibrant picture of the rural economy, bringing together farmers’ hopes for productive harvests and vendors’ efforts to sustain their livelihoods.