Diligence and perseverance have changed the lot of three farmers of Keshabpur village in Damurhuda upazila in the district.

Abdur Razzak and his two brothers Rafiq and Rashid have become successful tn cultivating tomato on 16 bighas of land and have earned about Tk 10 lakh this year.

Long 15 years' involvement in tomato farming has made them millionaires.

Successful cultivation of the vegetable has brought the trio widespread recognition in the region.

In 1996, the three brothers leased 1.5 bighas of land and cultivated local variety of tomato on one bigha and high yielding variety on the rest 10 kathas.

That year, they made better profit from the high yielding variety.

Next year, they cultivated high yielding tomato on a total of eight bighas following advice of agriculture officers and made a profit of Tk 3.00 lakh.

Within a span of 15 years, the three brothers earned millions of taka and bought 21 bighas of land.

They have built a two-storey building and are

bringing up their children with higher education.

During the current season, they cultivated high yielding 'Super Minto' variety of tomato on 16 bighas at a cost ofTk 3.00 lakh.

Rafiq said, they have already sold tomato worth Tk 9.00 lakh.

"Still there is tomato worth Tk 2.5 toTk3 lakh is in the fields," he said.

At the initial stage, they sold a maund of tomato at around Tk 1,200 and now at Tk500-600.

Some 180 to 200 maunds of tomato can be produced from one bigha land, local farmers said.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Chuadanga office

sources said this year tomato was cultivated on 525 hectares of land in the district.

In Damurhuda upazila, high yielding variety tomato was cultivated on 75 hectares.

Agriculture officer Jalal Uddin said, if tomato is cultivated on 'macha' (platform), tomato does not rot and it also does not need any spray of pesticide as birds sit on the 'macha 'and eat insects.

Besides, it is easier to irrigate the land and pluck tomato, he said.

Seeing the success of Razzak, Rafiq and Rashid, many other farmers are opting for tomato cultivation in Keshabpur and its adjacent villages.