The farmers in Kaliganj upazila of Jhenidah have been leaning about cassia leaf farming, and thinking commercially the financial benefit of medicinal, as well as spicy crop, leaving some traditional crops on their land. The area of farming has been increasing every year, as it requires least production cost, said the farmers.
Jainuddin Khan, a farmer of Kadirkole village of Sundarpur-Durgapur said he purchased 120 pieces of cassia leaf when one of his friends had encouraged him to cultivate the least hazard but better profitable crop 10 years back. Collecting the saplings from Bejerdanga of Khulna, he transplanted the same on his 50 decimals of land initially which expanded to 123 decimals.
The farmer said the farming is almost least cost as it is not affected by major pest or diseases, while some pest might attack during the spring which could be controlled with mils spraying of insecticides once a year. A total of 16 farmers have been cultivating cassia leaf on their 18 bighas of land in the village.
Farmer Abul Kalam Azad when contacted, said he has been producing cassia leaf on his 35 decimals of land for last four years and reaping about Taka three lakh twice a year while, he has to spend Taka 50 thousand a year for pesticides and other purposes.
Green leafs are sold at Taka 40 to 45, while the dried ones at Taka 70 to 80 each kilogram. Whole sellers procure the cassia leafs from farmers’ home at their own cost, Huge fertilizers and irrigation is not required for the farming. He is expecting to expand the area of farming in next year, Azad said. Another farmer Jahid Hossain of the area expressed the same opinion about profit of the spicy leafs without major risk.
Upazila agriculture officer (UAO) Jahidul Karim said the area of cassia leaf farming was increasing in the area as the farmers were benefitting from the crop than other regular crops. Further, it might bring additional money for the farmers if someone cultivates banana, turmeric and some other crops as inter crops on cassia leaf orchards. It will help strengthen the socio-economic state of the farmers.
Deputy Director of the department of agriculture extension in Jhenidah Kripangshu Sekhar Biswas when contacted said the soil of Kaliganj and other parts of Jhenidah were suitable for cassia leaf and other spices farming. The DAE field level officials were engaged in standing by the farmers for technology and other support as and when needed.
As the cassia leaf has medicinal and spicy potential, it has occupied the local market where the farmers have been reaping cash. They (DAE) have been encouraging the farmers to cultivate Ekani and some traditional medicinal crops for their interests, deputy director said.
