SWABI: Use of modern farming techniques is helping local farmers in get good yield of bitter gourd and tomato, leading to a boost in their incomes.

During the last few years, it has been observed that a good number of farmers have switched from growing tobacco to vegetables and fruits, particularly bitter gourd and tomato, and are getting the desired yields thanks to introduction of the vertical farming method.

Talking to Dawn here on Tuesday, growers said growing bitter gourd the traditional way did not yield the desired result, but use of the method had helped them get good crop.

In the past, the farmers said they did not give support to the bitter gourd crop, as a result, the plant spread over the land and during harvest the vegetable usually got damaged. Moreover, the crop was also exposed to diseases.

However, now the farmers grow the crop in a way known as vertical farming and from the very beginning the plant starts creeping upwards along the support made for it, giving the plant the required air and sunlight for better growth of the vegetable.

Jabeen Qamar, an agricultural expert, said the new technique had really worked and majority of farmers had switched to it.

“I knew the farmers felt hesitation in the beginning but now they have become familiar with the new technique,” he added.

Mohammad Uzair, a farmer belonging to Pirtab village, said vertical farming had helped him get the desired yield.

The farmers said earlier they believed in conventional farming and remained stuck with outdated modes, but slowly and gradually they came to know about the modern scientific techniques used in vegetable cultivation.

The farmers said land in Swabi was highly fertile and all kinds of vegetables and fruits could be grown there.

However, they said they needed guidance from agricultural experts on use of modern and scientific techniques.

Waqar Ahmad, a farmer, said earlier he earned about Rs20,000 in selling bitter gourd but now his income had reached to Rs60,000 as he had now been using the vertical farming method for last three years.

The farmers said vertical farming had also proved very productive in cultivating tomato crop because the rain and harsh sun could not damage the crop.

They said before vertical farming their tomato crop was badly damaged by rain and diseases.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2018