Md Azizul Fakir (35), son of Md Abdul Karim Fakir of the Chowrapara Mor area in Noagaon union of Sonargaon upazila, Narayanganj, has become self-reliant growing kochu-loti (taro and its stolons) after being inspired by videos on YouTube. He took up the crop alongside various other vegetables and has seen success for the past two years.

This year he has again grown kochu-loti on a plot next to his homestead. He keeps himself busy looking after the crop and handles everything alone, from planting to harvest. To get a good yield he has used TSP, urea and organic fertiliser.

Azizul Fakir said he grew kochu-loti on 40 decimals of land this year, spending Tk 35,000 in all from planting onwards. He has already sold about Tk 50,000 worth at market, and at least Tk 40,000–50,000 worth more is still in the field. He did not make much profit in the first year, but has succeeded this year.

He said that while other crops had not paid him well, growing this vegetable for 2 years had brought higher profits. However, he has less land under the crop this year than last. The season runs 6–7 months each year: if the seed is put in in January, the crop can be harvested and sold between June and July.

Azizul Fakir complained that he had had no help from the upazila agriculture office. "So far the agriculture office has not helped me at all, nor have I received the advice we should be given. If agriculture officials came forward, it would be possible to farm more, and with enthusiasm."

Sonargaon upazila agriculture officer Abu Sayeed Tarek told Jago News: "There is one person in each area whose job is to go around checking on farmers. Sometimes one or two may not get in touch with the officials, so in that sense there is a chance of someone being missed. The farmer growing kochu-loti should contact us, and we will certainly help. That is our duty. I will look into it."

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