Farmers have increasingly turned to cultivating garlicat 11 unions in Chatmohar Upazila of Pabna, using the no-till farming method. Although the garlic price was relatively low last year, they have continued farming garlic. According to them, despite the lower price, garlic cultivated under the no-till method still yields more profits than other crops because the cost and labour requirements are comparatively low. The farmers in 11 unions of the upazila cultivate garlic, using this method.
Garlic cultivation in the Chalan Beel area has become one of the most profitable crops for local farmers. For more than two decades, Chatmohar Upazila has been producing garlic through this no-till method. Women play a key role in planting garlic—they sort seeds and plant them. Female agricultural workers earn between Tk300 and Tk400 per day while male workers earn between Tk500 and Tk600.
Agricultural labourers said that after harvesting Aman paddy, they usually have little work available. As a result, they face financial hardship during that period. But since the introduction of the zero-tillage garlic cultivation system, they no longer sit idle. They can now meet their family needs because work is available both during planting and harvesting.
Female agricultural labourers said that because they live in rural areas, there are very few employment opportunities for them. Earlier, they struggled to contribute to family expenses or pay for medical treatment. Depending on a single income in the family was difficult. But now they eagerly wait for the garlic farming season because planting garlic through the zero-tillage method provides them with an income of Tk300-400 per day. After the garlic is harvested, they can also get involved in sorting the bulbs. Thus, this method of cultivation has become a vital source of income for them.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) here, in the 2024–25 fiscal year, 3,850 hectares of land were brought under garlic cultivation, producing 37,150 metric tons of garlic, with an average yield of 9.65 metric tons. For the upcoming 2025–26 fiscal year, DAE has set the target of producing 47,915 metric tons of garlic from 4,550 hectares of land. In Pabna district, this method is used only in Chatmoharupazila.
Ashraf Sheikh, a farmer from Baludiar village of Dibigramunion, said he cultivated garlic on 5 bighas of land using the no-till method. After harvesting Aman paddy, weeds are removed, and fertilisers such as TSP, potash, and gypsumare applied. Later, garlic seeds are planted in rows. Two maunds of seeds are required per bigha. After planting, the entire field is covered with straw. After one month, the field is irrigated and 10kg urea fertiliser per bigha is applied. This method experiences very little pest infestation. The crop is harvested within about 100 days, yielding 25 to 30 maunds per bigha.
Rafiqul Islam, a farmer from Bothor village in Bilchalanunion, said he cultivated garlic on 7 bighas of land this year. The total cost per bigha is Tk12,000-15,000. Costs have risen due to higher wages for agricultural labourers. Even so, he can sell garlic worth Tk60,000 per bigha at low market prices. When prices are high, income can exceed Tk1 lakh.
Chatmohar Upazila Agriculture Officer Kuntala Ghosh said that with proper management and farmers’ cooperation, the production target under the no-till garlic cultivation method is achievable.
