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Hundreds of farmers in Panchbibi upazila of the district are earning a handsome amount of money by growing creeper arum (Loti Kochu).
Sources said creeper arum farming has brought financial solvency to many poverty-stricken people of the area. Local agriculture office has been providing all necessary support to the arum growers.
The farming is increasing rapidly across the area. Growers are also satisfied over the market price, said sub-assistance agriculture officer of DAE Azizur Rahman.
He further said the item is being exported to some 25 counties.
Traders' sources said countries like Britain, America, Australia, Thailand, Canada, Germany, Sweden and some Middle Eastern countries now import creeper arum from Bangladesh round the year.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), more than 1200 hectares of land have been brought under the farming of the popular vegetable this season with the production target of 60,000 tonnes.
A farmer has to spend Tk 18,000 to Tk 22,000 to grow the item on a bigha of land. Moreover, he could make a profit of Tk 70,000 to Tk 80,000 from the land.
Each kg of the vegetable is being sold at Tk 25 to Tk 30 in the retail market.
Local sources said creeper arum is transported to other districts across the country from Joypurhat. It has a good demand along with high price.
Farmer Abed Ali of Keshobpur village of Aima Rashulpur union said he has already sold some 40 maunds of the crop and made a profit of Tk 64,000. He said he expects Tk 0.2 million more from the rest of the vegetable.
Upazila agriculture officer of DAE, Panchbibi upazila, Mahbubur Rahman said the department has provided all necessary support to the creeper arum growers so that they can achieve a desired output.