The cultivation of elephant foot yam, locally known as of ‘ol kochu’, has regained the faith of farmers and they are reaping better from the aurum species of tuber crop.
The department of agriculture extension (DAE) in Harinakundu upazila of Jhenaidah has been playing significant role in promoting the crop for the financial benefit of the farmers as well as rich food value of the crop.
The farmers have been showing more interest in elephant foot yam farming as it ensures four to five times benefit than rice or wheat farming, said the farmers.
A number of farmers at Bhaina village in Harinakundu upazila said that they are expecting at least 160 maunds of the tuber crop from each bigha of land for Taka 1.6 lakh to 1.7 lah where they have to spend Taka about 30 to 35 thousand for production purposes for the crop. Each bigha of land will ensure at least 1.25 lakh as net profit during the season, they said.
Farmer Kamal Hossain of the village said, witnessing the success of his brother Jamal Hossain in the last season on 20 decimals, he has cultivated the same of 40 decimals in the season. He is expecting at least 160 to 170 maunds of the crop in the current season.
The ‘ol kochu’ farming is satisfactorily increasing in the area gradually. A farmer could reap four to five times profit than rice, wheat or similar traditional crop in the season.
Abide selling the same in the market, they consume the tasty and hot-spicy crop and distribute the same among their near and dear ones, Kamal Hossain said.
Upazila agriculture officer (UAO) Arshed Ali Chowdhury when contacted said the farmers in Harinakundu brought 130 hectares of land as against last season’s achievement for 125 hectares.
Although it is an important crop in saline prone area like Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat etc. districts, the crop is almost neglected in Jhenidah and surrounding areas. The people of the area mainly depend of imported oalkachu from southern district. But the DAE had started promoting the same especially, Madraji variety as it offers huge production and potential.
Describing the potentials the crop, UAO said it reduces dehydration, cancer risk, iron deficiency and helps digestion, ensures nutrition. IT is especially useful for the pregnant and lactating mothers.
DAE has been providing skill training on oalkachu and some other decaying species with modern technology and improved variety to ensure profit for the farmers of the agrarian Bangladesh towards strengthening their socio-economic base when the country has been marching towards a better Bangladesh under the leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, UAO said.
