Arum brings smile to farmers

Cultivation of arum sees gradual rise in Kurigram and Kishoreganj districts as the nutritious vegetable brings good profit for low production cost and less labour. 

Our Kurigram correspondent reports: Mukhi kachu and pani kachu varieties of arum have been cultivated on 238 hectares and 133 hectares of land in the district this year, said Bimal Kumar Dey, sub-assistant agriculture officer of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Kurigram.

While visiting arum fields in Kathalbari union under Kurigram Sadar upazila on August 13, this correspondent found farmers busy to harvest it.

“I planted seed of mukhi kachu on 25 decimals of land in February this year. I spent around Tk 8,000 for the cultivation and I have sold arum of Tk 19,000 today [August 13],” said Dhiren Chandra Roy, 49, of Rangatipara village of Kathalbari union. 

“I have continued cultivating arum for several years as it brings more profit for low production cost,” he said.

Kurigram Sadar upazila agriculture officer Md Kamruzzaman said, “Arum cultivation is profitable for farmers as it requires low production cost and less labour. We advise farmers to cultivate mukhi kachu on high lands and pani kachu on low lands.”

By cultivating mukhi kachu, a farmer can gain profit of Tk over 1 lakh per acre of field in six months, he said.     

Our Kishoreganj correspondent reports: Farmers cultivated arum on 260 hectares of land in six unions of Kuliarchar upazila under the district this year, according to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in upazila.

"We arranged trainings and conducted campaign for using organic fertiliser before arum cultivation. And the cultivation of latiraj variety is gaining popularity among the farmers as it is about five times more profitable than paddy farming," said Kuliarchar Upazila Agriculture Officer Aminul Islam.

The soil of the region is suitable for arum cultivation, locals said, adding that different varieties of arum are cultivated in the area, mostly in the water-logged fields.

Latiraj variety of arum is cultivated from early January and its harvest continues from mid-April to December, said Md Kamal Mia, an arum grower of Gobaria Abdullahpur union of Kuliarchar upazila.

"Farmers use only some organic fertiliser during arum cultivation and they do not need to use insecticides. It remains safe as cattle do not eat arum plants. Very little labour is required to look after it," said Ashraful Islam of Osmanpur village in the upazila.

Md Ratan Mia, another arum cultivator from Chhaysuti union in the upazila, said, "I have cultivated arum on five bighas of land spending Tk 22,000 this year. I have already earned Tk 40,000 in the last two weeks and hope I will earn profit at least Tk 2 lakh by December."

At present one kg of latiraj variety arum sells for Tk 50-60 in the local market. The price is expected to rise much in two to three months.

This vegetable is in high demand as it is tasty and nourishing, locals said.

Arum is a nutritious vegetable and it works as a remedy for different diseases, especially diabetes, said Dr Md Faruk Ahmed.