Good agricultural practices for bottle gourd: advancing food safety in Bangladesh

Abstract

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is designed to enhance the safety, quality and sustainability of agricultural products by covering areas such as soil management, water use, pest control and post-harvest handling. A GAP validation trial for bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) was conducted at the Basna village, Dhamrai, Dhaka during summer season of 2024 with the variety ‘BARI Lau-4’. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of GAP in improving yield and quality. The trial involved meticulous site selection, land preparation, seedling management, and fertilizer application. Recommended practices including balanced fertilization, efficient irrigation, and disease management were implemented. Despite challenges such as drought, gummy stem blight, and high labour costs, the trial achieved a yield of 35 MT per hectare, surpassing the national average of 13.7 MT per hectare, and the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was calculated as 1.93. Training sessions were conducted to equip farmers with GAP knowledge, resulting in enhanced productivity and higher profitability. The GAP-produced bottle gourd met international quality standards, creating strong export opportunities. Recommendations include adopting drought-resistant practices, improving farmer engagement, and involving the Hortex Foundation and Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) for better market access. Future efforts should focus on addressing challenges and leveraging export potential to strengthen both local and international market presence.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 50(3): 283-297, September 2025