Spice cultivation namely black cumin and coriander has increased substantially in different upazilas of Shariatpur district as the produce helps farmers bring handsome prices compared to other crops like paddy and wheat.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), around 2980 hectares of land have been used for cultivating black cumin, while 5970 hectares for coriander this year.
According to the farmers in the district, they are getting four to five maunds of black cumin and six to eight maunds coriander from per bigha land. Per maund black cumin is being sold at Tk 6000-8000 while per maund coriander is for Tk 2,500-3,000.
They also said that per bigha cultivation for black cumin and coriander cost them only 4,000.
Swapan Khalasi from Dubisaibar village of Jajira upazila said: “Farmers would cultivate Boro in the field, but the paddy price comes down compared to the cost of production which caused us financial loss. For this reason, we have resorted to cultivating black cumin and coriander as the price of the produce is quite satisfactory."
Another farmer Shukkur Madobbor said that last year, he cultivated black cumin on one bigha of land. " This year, I have cultivated the crops on one and half bigha of land because the produce brings much more profit than other crops like paddy, wheat and so on."
“I have used three bigha of land for coriander cultivation as the demand for the crop is sky high as well, and spice growers are getting inspired by the good price of the product,” said Kalam Bepari.
When contacted, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Deputy Director Amir Hamja said: “Farmers are being inspired day by day as they are getting good prices. Moreover, the soil and weather of the district is suitable for cultivating spices.”
