Haimchar farmers opting for black cumin farming

CHANDPUR: Farmers in Haimchar upazila of Chandpur district are increasingly showing interest to grow Kalo Jira (black cumin) in their fields finding it to be an economically viable venture.

While talking to the FE, farmers Rubel Moishal, Serajul Islam and Habibur Rahman -all from Gazipur, Nilkomol and Haimchar areas of the upazila- confirmed the report saying that black cumin cultivation brings good yield and fetch good profit for them within a short time.

Much expenditure is not required to grow black cumin. Its plants do not suffer pest attack either.

That is why farmers are much interested to grow Kalo Jira on the fertile land of different char and riverbank areas in the upazila.

The farmers said after harvesting Aman paddy, when their cropland remains fallow, they cultivate Kalo Jira in their fields from November till December. Plants take around 110 days to attain maturity and then black cumin it is harvested.

According to the farmers, the soil of char areas in Haimchar is fertile and suitable for growing Kalo Jira.

Last year, being inspired by the agriculture officials, only one farmer cultivated Kalo Jira on one hectare of land on an experimental basis. He became successful.

Following his steps, this season, as many as 25 paddy farmers have shown keen interest to cultivate Kalo Jira on 18 hectares of their fallow land after harvesting Aman paddy and now they are advancing substantially in the process.

The expenditure is also less than other crops. The weather this year is favourable. In addition, the upazila agriculture office and union-level agriculture officials are providing advices and extending support to cultivate Kalo Jira alongside supplying adequate seeds.

Riverbank char areas like Nikomol, Haimchar and Gazipur are the major Kalo Jira growing areas in the entire upazila.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Shakil Khandaker said, "It is expected that around 19.8 tonnes of Kalo Jira worth Tk 7.0 million (Tk 70 lakh) may be yielded after harvesting, that will start soon."

He further said they are motivating the farmers to grow black cumin as the soil of Haimchar is sandy which is suitable for the crop's farming.

It will bring them good yield and fetch them a sizable income too. The growers look forward to getting good profit. At present , Kalo Jira sells at Tk 500/-600 per kg in the haats and bazars of urban and rural areas. But the existing marketing facilities of Kalo Jira are poor in Haimchar upazila- lamented many farmers.

They said if marketing facilities are ensured, the farmers will be more and more interested to grow Kalo Jira and then be financially benefited.

Talking to the FE, DAE, Chandpur's veteran agriculturists Mannan Mia and Mobarak Hossain said due to motivation and counseling by agriculture officials at the upazila and union levels, many farmers across the district are growing Kalo Jira as it costs them less but benefits them much more. That is why many farmers call it 'Kalo Hira' (black diamond).

Kalo Jira is also being cultivated on a small scale in some areas - on two hectares of land in Matlab Uttar, one hectare in Faridganj and Matlab Dakhshin, about two hectares in Hajiganj and Kachua upazilas of the district-said sources in the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) office, Chandpur.

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