A partial view of an arum field at Sanjaypur village in Atgharia upazila of Pabna district — FE Photo PABNA, Sept 14: The cultivation of nutrient-rich Latikachu-1 (Latiraj), which is released by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), is gradually expanding across the country as huge profits has brought fortunes for thousands of farmers.
BARI officials said that the cultivation of this variety of the kachu is gradually expanding in most districts of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions. Agriculture officials said that Latiraj Kachu is popular all over the country, especially in Pabna, Joypurhat and Bogura districts.
Dr Jamal Uddin, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Pabna, told The Financial Express, "We have supplied quality Latiraj Kachur seeds to the farmers at the beginning of the season and provided necessary guidance during cultivation."
As it has proved to be very profitable, a large number of farmers are becoming interested in growing Latiraj Kachu in most parts of the country.
Abdul Baset of Sanjaypur village of Atgharia upazila in Pabna district cultivates Latiraj Kachu of Kandal variety. Based started Latikachu plantation in 2010 with encouragement from his uncle Akbar Ali.
For the last 14 years, he grew Latiraj Kachu from poverty and now feels proud that he is more prosperous than 10 others.
On the advice of the DAE, many farmers have started cultivating Latiraj Kachu.
Baset said, 'On the advice of the agriculture department, he cultivated Latiraj kachu on 01 bigha of land in 2010. He got more encouragement in kachu cultivation by getting various facilities from the agriculture department.
Latikachu harvest starts three months after its planting. A lot of vines are picked from the field after one week.
He said, "To grow Latiraj Kachu on one bigha of land in a year, it costs Tk 30,000 to 40,000 for different types of fertilisers and maintenance. The income from that Kachu is about Tk 2 lakh."
Excluding expenses, the profit per bigha is about Tk 0.15 million (1.5 lakh).
He said now Latiraj Kachu is being sold at Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kg in wholesale market and retail is selling at Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg.
Ibrahim Ali of the same village is very happy to grow this kachu on half a bigha of land.
Abdus Salam (Salamat) of Rostampur village of the same upazila is very happy to cultivate this kachu for 04 years on one hundred and one bigha land. He no longer has to live in poverty.
Wholesalers said Latiraj raw vegetable is in great demand in Dhaka as it is a high-quality vegetable.
Gazipur, Savar, Karwan Bazar, Jatrabari, Shyambazar, Joydevpur intersection along with Sylhet and Chittagong are sent. The demand for this lot is also wide, he added.
Regional DAE sources said at least 20 Latiraj crop production demonstration plots have been plotted in 04 districts of Bogura region to encourage farmers to produce more. Latiraj has inspired many farmers with the success of Kachu cultivation.
Nutrient requirements can be easily met by cultivation of Latikachu not only in low land but also in moist land around homesteads.
Sarker Shafi Uddin, assistant director of the DAE in Bogura region, told The Financial Express, "This year 835 hectares of land have been brought under Latiraj Kachu in four districts under Bogra region.
Out of this, 409 hectares in Joypurhat, 131 hectares in Pabna, 125 hectares in Bogura and 170 hectares in Sirajganj have been brought under Latiraj Kachu cultivation. Farmers are turning to this Kachu cultivation as they get huge profits from this vegetable cultivation. Latiraj Kachu cultivation has already become popular in these agrarian districts. Cultivating kachu on fallow and uncultivated land has changed the fortunes of many farmers.
He also said, "Latiraj is delicious to eat, more profitable in cultivation and economically self-sufficient, so its demand is increasing day by day across the country."
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