Experimental black cumin cultivation starts in Naogaon

NAOGAON, Apr 03: A good number of peasants of Raninagar upazila of the district have started growing black cumin on experimental basis.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), the oilseed can be grown in the area abundantly as the weather and soil are suitable for it. Cultivators were provided all necessary support regarding this.

Farmers of the crop are expecting to start the harvest from next week.

In the meantime, traders from Bogra and Joypurhat districts have already started visiting the area to purchase the produce from the cultivators directly.

"I have cultivated black cumin on 29 decimals of land spending Tk 5,000 this season. I am a Boro grower, but this season I didn't cultivate the paddy for growing the oilseed," said farmer Liton Hossain of Chalkmanu village under Kashimpur union.

The farmer said he is expecting to make a profit of Tk 30,000 to Tk 35,000 from black cumin farming.

Sources said farmers have to spend Tk 3,000 to Tk 4,000 to grow black cumin on a bigha of land while three to five maunds of production can be achieved.

Upazila agriculture officer Golam Sarowar said, "Black cumin farming is profitable than paddy, wheat and maize. We have encouraged the farmers to grow the crop on commercial basis."

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