Mrityunjoy Mondol, a smallholder in Chhotobondo village, Shahosh union, Dumuria upazila, Khulna, grew a local variety of elephant foot yam (ol kochu) on just 5 decimals of land and harvested about 400 kg. It cost him only Tk 500; selling at Tk 25 a kilo, he earned Tk 10,000.
He planted 50 seedlings of the local variety this year, and with proper care they yielded about 400 kg of tubers.
He is pleased with such a return from so little land and money, though a slightly higher market price would have earned him more; a good harvest pays best when prices are favourable, he said.
Dumuria upazila agriculture officer Md Nazmul Huda said the area's soil and climate are very well suited to tuber crops. Mrityunjoy has shown that careful husbandry at modest cost can give a good yield even on a small plot, he said, and the department supports such farmers with modern technology and advice.
The report notes that for farmers with little land and capital, choosing low-cost, profitable crops matters. With fair prices, better marketing and regular advice, elephant foot yam and other tuber crops could spread further in Dumuria.
Reported by Dainik Bangla's correspondent in Dumuria, Khulna.
Photo: Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius), Challiyan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Source: Dainik Bangla
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