The villagers of Alankari Union, including from: Munsirgao, Manukopa, Palgao, and Betsandi, have undertaken new business ventures by cultivating coriander. The herb is being grown on about eight acres of land in different villages, and is bringing prosperity to the region.
The farmers of Biswanath upazila have also succeeded in generating employment for many in the region, reports UNB.
Since its introduction to the area, coriander has become increasingly profitable, thanks to its high market value and significant profit margin.
In Bangla, the herb is known as ”Dhania”— or more specifically “Bandhula” among the locals.
The success of its cultivation has brought self-sufficiency to many poor families, prompting many to dream big. Its farming does not require much space and, can even be done in abandoned spaces of a house.
Abul Kalam, a coriander farmer in Munsirgao, said he could not go beyond the 10th grade in school; neither could he try his luck by going abroad.
However, after seeing the success of several coriander farmers in his village, he tried doing the same and has not looked back since.
He said “It costs Tk70,000, annually, to farm coriander. After selling it, the profit margin ends up at a hefty amount of Tk1.1 lakh.”
Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, another farmer in the region, said the seed beds need to be prepared by the Bengali month of Falgun—after which the seeds are planted by Chaitra-Baishakh period.
Within 15-20 days of planting, they need to be sold, he added. Approximately Tk6,000-worth of coriander can be sold a day. It remains in high demand due to its use in salads and curries.
They usually sell coriander at the Sobhani Ghat wholesale market in the town—earning between Tk1.5-2 lakh a year.
Women usually collect the coriander leaves, earning Tk300 a day in the process— earning an additional Tk10 per stick to compile bundles of a hundred leaves.
Agriculture officer of Biswanath upazila Ramzan Ali said: “Coriander farming has ensured profits for many farmers in the region.”He added that cultivating coriander can change the fortune of many families for the better. They will provide the necessary support and logistics for anyone interested in the region to do so.