BAJAUR: The increased yield and its profit have motivated the farmers to grow hybrid tomato in Bajaur tribal district.

The local farmers belonging to different areas told this scribe that earlier they grew only organic tomato in their field and its yield was nominal. They said that introduction of hybrid tomato in the district and its extraordinary yield during the last two years motivated most of the farmers to grow it.

Attaullah Khan, a farmer of Khar, said that earlier they did not want to grow hybrid vegetables in their fields as they believed that those were not good for health. However, he said that he started growing hybrid vegetables, especially tomato, when some of his friends briefed him about their benefit.

“I have been associated with farming for about 20 years. I used to cultivate organic vegetables but now I grow hybrid vegetables due to their increased yield and good price at the market,” he said.

The farmers said that earlier only few growers in the entire district cultivated hybrid vegetables as the price of their seeds was high and look after of hybrid vegetables, especially that of tomato, was very difficult.

However, they said that the recent extraordinary yield and profit have inspired most of the growers across the district to grow hybrid vegetables. They said that currently, more than 80 per cent farmers were growing the hybrid vegetables in their lands.

The district agriculture officer, Ziaul Islam Dawar, when contacted, said that trend of cultivation of hybrid vegetables among the farmers in the district was on the rise. He said that maximum farmers were growing hybrid tomato and other vegetables in the district.

The official said that the period from July 12 to August 30 was the best for cultivation of hybrid tomato and other vegetables. He added that most of farmers were busy in cultivating hybrid tomato.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2020