RANGPUR, Aug 12: Arum cultivation has made its cultivators rapturous in different upazilas of the district as they are earning remarkable financial benefits through its farming.
This season, growers get huge arum yield and profits, which encourage them to cultivate the vegetable to a great extent next season, sources said.
Presently, arum growers in different areas are passing a busy time harvesting their produce with happiness.
Mizanur Rahman, a farmer of Palichara area of Rangpur Sadar upazila, told The Financial Express that he has cultivated Taro arum (Mukhi kachu) on 42 decimals of his land without any pesticides.
"I've spent around Tk 30,000 on its farming. I expect a net profit of over Tk 1 lakh," he said.
Growers are witnessing huge profits by cultivating arum this year, he mentions.
Mizanur also said arum farming does not require any insecticides as usually, so pests do not attack it. Such vegetables are healthy and delicious, he added.
Hamid Mia, a peasant of Ranipukur area in Mithapukur upazila, said he has brought 45 decimals of land into Latiraj arum cultivation this season and has earned a profit of Tk 40,000 so far.
"I expect more dividends during the remaining time of the season."
Many farmers of the district have become able to get financial benefits through arum farming, he added.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Rangpur official sources said this year about 11,225 hectares of land have been brought into cultivation of arum and other vegetables in the district.
Talking to The FE, Rangpur DAE Deputy Director Md Reaz Uddin said arum farming needs less fertilisers and irrigation.
In Rangpur, arum is being cultivated plentifully in different areas, including Pirganj and Mithapukur upazilas, as the vegetable brings huge profits, he added.
He further said that recently he visited some areas in Pirganj upazila where growers expressed their optimism about getting a huge profit from Taro arum farming on 40 to 45 decimals of land.
Arum growers are being given technical support and advice so that they can attain a bumper output.
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