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Chia seed, a Central American plant which is known as a super food for its presence of various nutrients, are being cultivated in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi district.
Though two farmers first cultivated the chia seeds in the region for the first time last year, many farmers are now leaning towards the cultivation of this crop due to comparatively lower production cost, good yield and high market price.
According to the Rajshahi Agricultural Extension Department, chia seeds are a species of mint and full of various nutrients. The crop grows well in sandy loam soil. The seeds of chia need to be sown between mid-November to the first week of December. The crop can be harvested between the end of March and April.
The use of organic fertilizers is better to get good yield. The yield is 70 to 80 kg per bigha of land at a cost of Taka 12000 to 15000 while the price per kg seeds is Tk 800 to 1000.
Experts believe that this healthy crop with nutrients and medicinal properties of South America and Mexico can be exported within a few years if it is cultivated commercially in the country.
Sujon Ali, one of the two farmers who cultivated chia seeds last year, said that he cultivated the crop experimentally but found a better result.
He said that it cost him Tk 12000 to 13000 to cultivate chia seeds in one bigha of land while he had earned Tk 80000.
Sujon said that the cultivation process of the crop was very easy as no pesticides were required while only 300 grams of seeds were required for one bigha of land.
He said that he has cultivated more the chia seeds this year.
Another farmer Amjad Hossain said that the demand and the market price of chia seeds were high as they were being sold in the local market at Tk 800 to 1000 per kg.
He said that many farmers in the region were showing their interest in cultivation of the crop as the profit was several times higher than any other crop.
Bagha Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan said that its scientific name is 'Salvia Hispanica'. These seeds are rich in antioxidants such as chlorogenic, omega-3, fatty acids, kaempferol, quercetin, and caffeic acid, potassium, magnesium, and soluble and insoluble fiber.
Shafiullah Sultan said that two farmers started cultivating this crop in Bagha upazila. "At present, twelve farmers are cultivating it", he said, adding that they were providing necessary guidelines and support to the farmers who were interested in cultivating this crop.
Citing doctors, the agricultural official said that chia seeds increase energy-performance in the human body. "It strengthens immunity, reduces weight, keeps blood sugar levels normal, prevents bone loss, reduces risk of colon cancer, and Chia's antioxidants flush out toxins from the body", he said.
Mozdar Hossain, Deputy Director of Rajshahi Agriculture Directorate, said that the production cost of chia seeds was Tk 12,000 per bigha while the yield was about 80 kg.
He said that the cultivation of this crop was more profitable as the current market price of it is Tk 1000 per kg.