Hyacinth bean and its little-known benefits

Hyacinth bean, commonly known as sheem in Bangladesh, is a very common item in Bengali cuisine. It is a regular choice of vegetable in Bengali meals. Starting from begun sheem er chochchori to posto bata aar sheem, hyacinth bean stimulates our taste buds when used with a dash of mustard and every other vegetable.

Hyacinth beans are a powerhouse of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and lipids that help prevent a number of diseases and deficiencies in our bodies. The antioxidants present in this vegetable help slow down the ageing process, and prevent neuro-degenerative diseases and cancer. The presence of Vitamin B1 in hyacinth beans helps maintain a healthy ventricular function and prevent heart failure. Whilst insoluble fibre in hyacinth beans provides bulk to stool and helps prevent bloating, indigestion and constipation, the soluble fibre in it helps improve digestion. Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus in hyacinth beans are useful for maintaining bone health as they support jaw-bone mineral density and tooth enamel. Hyacinth beans contain a sufficient quantity of potassium which strengthens muscles and lessens muscle cramps. Minerals such as selenium, manganese and zinc also help tackle lung and respiratory diseases. This vegetable is a great mood booster as it contains amino acids which help to balance hormones.

Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, a hyacinth bean farmer from Kollapara, Jhenaidah, shares his experience of growing this vegetable. Hyacinth beans can be grown in a wide variety of soils but loam soils are ideal for its cultivation. Initially, the land is prepared with four to five plows. Then the field is surrounded with soil as a barricade to prevent water from clogging the field. Cow dung manure is decomposed and applied to the field. Organic fertiliser is then applied to the field. The seedlings are then planted. Inorganic fertilisers such as TSP, potash, urea are applied around the roots of the tree when the saplings grow to a certain extent. When the tree tops start showing, they absorb the fertilisers which help the growth of hyacinth beans. Pesticides such as Dursban and Noklem leaves are also applied. Tree weeds are cut every day to keep insects at bay. Irrigation is carried out at weekly intervals during the summer and during two-week intervals during the winter. Hyacinth beans are ready to be harvested two months after sowing the seedlings.

Rafiqul, along with many farmers of the area, provides vegetables for Shwapno under the Shuddho project. According to Rafiqul, this initiative has helped him adopt the right agricultural practices for growing potatoes, in terms of learning about how much fertiliser or pesticide should be used. Farmers also have an opportunity to learn about the interval period between pesticide application and harvesting, known as the Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI).

Hyacinth beans are a great source of nutrients. They are good for our health and wellbeing. So, the next time you see hyacinth beans in the vegetable section in the market, make sure you include it in your basket! 

A joint initiative of Shwapno and The Daily Star