Kushtia, Sept. 7 -- A blue net fence surrounds the field, keeping unwanted insects at bay. Inside, bamboo structures support lush green vines, from which clusters of fresh bitter gourds hang.

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary vegetable field. But there is a crucial difference: no chemical pesticides are being used here.

In Dhalnagar village of Kumarkhali upazila, two farmers have ventured into chemical-free bitter gourd cultivation using the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) method for the first time in the area.

The harvest has been encouraging. The market, however, has not been as kind.

Farmers Dabir Uddin Farazi and Abdul Bari have cultivated "Alisa" variety bitter gourd on three bighas of land. In just 10 days, they have ...