Arum cultivation brings fortune for Kurigram farmers
Our Correspondent | Monday, 18 August 2008
KURIGRAM, Aug 17: Arum cultivation has changed the lot of a good many farmers in Kurigram, a poverty stricken district, of the country's northern region.
The people in the rural areas of Kurigram are mostly poor but now many have come out of the clutch of poverty by cultivating various kinds of vegetables, particularly arum, local sources said.
Many poor farmers of the district have improved their livelihood by cultivating arum, they added.
The farmers of the district are now cultivating the item on a large scale because of its high financial return. Even a couple of years ago the supply of arum in the local markets was very little. But now a days it is available in plenty in all the markets of this region. It's prices are also remunerative.
Encouraged by its fair prices in the markets many farmers are now cultivating arum on commercial basis. The soil of the district is very suitable for its cultivation.
There are several verities of arum. They are locally called oll kachu, black kachu, pani kachu, man kachu, baiya kachu and Aila kachu.
The farmers can plant arum throughout the year. Most of the varieties are grown in the low lying water logged areas.
Oll kachu is in high demand to the people for its good taste. Buiya kachu in the month of Sraban and Aila kachu in Agrahayon is very testy when it is cooked with little fishes. Pest of its leaf and it tuberous is testy while cooked with little dry fishes.
Deputy civil surgeon of Kurigram sadar Hospital Dr. Golam Mowla told this correspondent that oll kachu is prescribed by some for curing piles.
A farmer can produce as much as Tk 70 to 75 maund by cultivating arum on one bigha (33 decimal) of land. No fertiliser is required for its growth. It also needs very little nursing and the risk of its cultivation is much less.
One Anowar Hossain a arum farmer of Kathalbari, said he produced a total of 70 mounds of arum on his one bigha of land in this year and earned Tk 28 thousand spending Tk 8 thousand only.
Another Arum farmer of village Shibram under Kathalbari union Abed Ali told this correspondent that he cultivated arum on his 4 bighas of land and produced 285 maunds of arum. He sold them at Tk 400 per maund earned, a total of Tk 1,12000 spending Tk 32,000. His net profit is Tk.76000. He became self reliant cultivating arum during the last four years, he added. Besides, per pair oll kachu is being sold at Tk. 30-40 according to size and shape.
So, considering the economical importance the less risky arum cultivation is gaining popularity. Apart from this, the arum has higher food value than that of other tuberous crops. It contains alkaline, calcium and iron, experts said.
A good number of unemployed people engaged themselves relating to this business. Thousands of female workers those who are distressed and poor are engaged in sorting and washing the arum.
Kurigram Khamarbari (DAE) officials said although there is statistics of arum cultivation in the district but the farmers are cultivating arum on a large scale.
Kathalbari, Holokhana, Mogolbacha and Belgacha under Sadar upazila, Chinai union under Rajarhat upazila Ulipur, Chilmari, Nageswari, Bhurungamari and Phulbari upazila are famous for arum cultivation.
The people in the rural areas of Kurigram are mostly poor but now many have come out of the clutch of poverty by cultivating various kinds of vegetables, particularly arum, local sources said.
Many poor farmers of the district have improved their livelihood by cultivating arum, they added.
The farmers of the district are now cultivating the item on a large scale because of its high financial return. Even a couple of years ago the supply of arum in the local markets was very little. But now a days it is available in plenty in all the markets of this region. It's prices are also remunerative.
Encouraged by its fair prices in the markets many farmers are now cultivating arum on commercial basis. The soil of the district is very suitable for its cultivation.
There are several verities of arum. They are locally called oll kachu, black kachu, pani kachu, man kachu, baiya kachu and Aila kachu.
The farmers can plant arum throughout the year. Most of the varieties are grown in the low lying water logged areas.
Oll kachu is in high demand to the people for its good taste. Buiya kachu in the month of Sraban and Aila kachu in Agrahayon is very testy when it is cooked with little fishes. Pest of its leaf and it tuberous is testy while cooked with little dry fishes.
Deputy civil surgeon of Kurigram sadar Hospital Dr. Golam Mowla told this correspondent that oll kachu is prescribed by some for curing piles.
A farmer can produce as much as Tk 70 to 75 maund by cultivating arum on one bigha (33 decimal) of land. No fertiliser is required for its growth. It also needs very little nursing and the risk of its cultivation is much less.
One Anowar Hossain a arum farmer of Kathalbari, said he produced a total of 70 mounds of arum on his one bigha of land in this year and earned Tk 28 thousand spending Tk 8 thousand only.
Another Arum farmer of village Shibram under Kathalbari union Abed Ali told this correspondent that he cultivated arum on his 4 bighas of land and produced 285 maunds of arum. He sold them at Tk 400 per maund earned, a total of Tk 1,12000 spending Tk 32,000. His net profit is Tk.76000. He became self reliant cultivating arum during the last four years, he added. Besides, per pair oll kachu is being sold at Tk. 30-40 according to size and shape.
So, considering the economical importance the less risky arum cultivation is gaining popularity. Apart from this, the arum has higher food value than that of other tuberous crops. It contains alkaline, calcium and iron, experts said.
A good number of unemployed people engaged themselves relating to this business. Thousands of female workers those who are distressed and poor are engaged in sorting and washing the arum.
Kurigram Khamarbari (DAE) officials said although there is statistics of arum cultivation in the district but the farmers are cultivating arum on a large scale.
Kathalbari, Holokhana, Mogolbacha and Belgacha under Sadar upazila, Chinai union under Rajarhat upazila Ulipur, Chilmari, Nageswari, Bhurungamari and Phulbari upazila are famous for arum cultivation.