Chia Seed, an exotic crop previously unknown to the people of the country and an indigenous variety from Latin America, is now being successfully cultivated in Badalgacchi upazila of Naogaon district.
It is learnt, Chia Seed looks like the grain of sesame. It contains antioxidants and is a major source of carbohydrates. Chia seed also contains Fatty Acids, Minerals, Vitamins and various useful ingredients which resist damage to the body, help to decrease weight and aid in filling up various deficiencies of human beings.
According to Agriculturists Chia seed contains five times more Iron than that of milk and it is enriched in Omega-3 Fatty Acid which is available in sea fish Salmon.
Abdur Rouf of Parashrampur village under Mathurapur union of Badalgachhi upazila cultivated Chia Seed in one bigha of land for the first time. He hoped to earn Tk 70, 000 to 80,000 profit by selling the produced crop whereas he spent only Tk 15,000 to 20,000 to cultivate it.
Nutritious edible oil is produced from Chia Seed in the countries of Latin America, Europe and other countries of the world. It is used mainly as cooking or edible oil, for making salad and burgers and for herbal treatment.
The Agriculture Officer of Badalgachhi upazila informed the Scientific name of the Chia Seed is Salvia Hispnica belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It contains huge anti-oxidants which increase the disease-resistant power of the body. Barind Multipurpose Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture are cooperating with farmer Abdur Rouf to cultivate the Chia Seed in his field.
Abdur Rashid further informed Chia seed is a high-yield variety and also profitable and he is expecting to earn Tk 80,000 profit from the harvest of one bigha of land. Many farmers of his village and the neighbouring villages are being interested in cultivating the crop by watching the success of Rouf.
BMDA sources in Rajshahi informed Chia seed has been experimentally cultivated on one bigha of land in Badalgachhi of Naogaon. Now, the cultivation being successful and profiteering, it should be spread all over the country.
Nutritionist Shaila Sabrin informed Chia seed helps with weight loss and to stay healthy. It is an ideal food for cardiac patients. Fibre contents of Chia seed reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and help to increase good cholesterol(HDL).
It also helps to increase the beneficial fat in the blood. Chia Seed is also a highly suggested food for diabetic patients, she added.