Talk of a cure-all and the first name that comes up is black cumin (kalojira). It is known as a spice and valued for many qualities. With its use growing day by day, demand in the market has risen several-fold, and the crop has become very popular as a rabi crop in Shariatpur district. Local people are becoming self-reliant by growing this profitable crop.

The Shariatpur district agriculture department says black cumin was grown on 3,680 hectares in the district's six upazilas last season, producing 1 tonne a hectare. This year's target was 3,720 hectares, but continuous rain this season cut the area by 200 hectares to 3,520 hectares. Even so, the yield has been satisfactory, and the agriculture department expects it to rise per hectare compared with other years.

In the fields, the crop is covered in light bluish flowers. Some fruit has already filled out, and most is full of oilseed.

Mahtabuddin Sheikh (66), a farmer in Bilaspur in the Sadar upazila, grew wheat on 50 decimals last year but made little profit because of poor market prices. This year he has grown black cumin on the same land, and with a good yield he hopes to double his profit.

"Because it rained at the start of the season, I thought I would not be able to sow black cumin. But trusting in Allah, I sowed it later anyway. I never imagined such a good yield. Black cumin fetches a very good price in the market. I hope to make a lot more profit this time," he said.

Shahjalal Dhali, a farmer in Mulna, Zajira, said: "At one time we stopped growing black cumin in our area and grew mostly coriander and mustard. Now we have increased black cumin. Its price is much higher than all the other crops, so we can make more profit."

Ramzan Bepari of the same area said: "The owner of the land next to mine made a good profit growing black cumin last year, so this year I grew it on 10 decimals too. From the look of the crop, I think I will make a lot more profit this time. I plan to grow more in future."

Mohammad Riazur Rahman, additional deputy director (horticulture) of the district DAE, told Jagonews24: "Black cumin is a profitable crop. Because of its medicinal properties, demand for it in the market is very good, and the crop is getting a great response among farmers."

He said: "The area was somewhat lower this season because of rain. But since the average yield is much better than last year, production will rise a lot. To increase production, the agriculture department is arranging advice and incentives for farmers in every upazila."

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