Buckwheat, known locally as dhemshi, is a promising crop that had been lost over time. It is now being grown again on the Padma chars of Lalpur in Natore. Because it yields at relatively low cost and in a short time, it is raising new hopes, and the agriculture department has already taken steps to expand this nearly extinct crop.

The upazila agriculture office said buckwheat was grown in the area in the 1990s or earlier. This year it is being grown on 30 decimals of land on the Padma char at Bilmaria in the upazila. The plants have flowered, some flowers have set seed, and the crop can be harvested shortly. Its scientific name is Fagopyrum esculentum. It is grown for its grain-like seeds, which look much like mustard seeds, and is known in English as buckwheat or common buckwheat.

The agriculture department says buckwheat rice and flour are very high in protein, minerals and fibre, making them an excellent food. They also contain calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12), selenium and other nutrients.

The report says research has shown that eating buckwheat rice or flour lowers the risk of, or cures, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and heart disease. Though it was grown in this country long ago, it has been disappearing over time. The reasons are the arrival of high-value crops, changing food habits and, above all, farmers not getting a fair price. Buckwheat is highly valued in developed countries such as China, Japan and the United States, where governments support its cultivation and processing.

On the Padma char in Natore, coriander-like flowers have bloomed beside the rice fields, and white buckwheat flowers sway in the breeze among the green leaves. In the field, farmer Muntaz Ali said: "This year I have grown buckwheat on 30 decimals. It has flowered well and I hope the yield will be good too. It cost about Tk 3,000. Buckwheat is now selling at Tk 6,000-8,000 a maund in the market."

"If I sold it at market I would make a profit of about Tk 25,000," he said. "But this time I will make flour instead of selling it. Many people are taking advice from me after seeing my buckwheat. I will grow it on more land next season."

Upazila agriculture officer Pritom Kumar Hore said: "Buckwheat cultivation has started on a trial basis this year. If farmers profit more at low cost, cultivation will grow in future. We have taken steps to expand this nearly extinct crop. Buckwheat gives rice, flour and honey. If a market for buckwheat can be created, it will play an important role in our economy, and this highly nutritious food can be spread among people."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.