Coriander farming gains popularity

Ebadul, a young grower takes care of coriander on his field at Char Gubadia village in Sadar upazila, Mymensingh. His success inspired other farmers at his village in its cultivation. PHOTO: STAR

Being inspired by his success, coriander cultivation gains popularity among other farmers at the village. Some of them are Abdul Gafur, Nuruzzaman, Joynal Abdus Salam Hazrat Ali Billal Hossain Makul Mondal and Hormoj Ali. Everyone fetches a good profit from it.

First of all Ebadul became interested in its cultivation when he observed the success of Helal Uddin, a vegetable cultivator and vendor at the same village. He started its cultivation about nine years ago. He collected coriander plants from a bazaar in Gouripur upazila and planted it on a piece of land. The plants grew well due to proper nursing. He cultivated coriander on five decimals of fallow land adjacent to his house which brought profit of Tk 5,000.

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Ebadul sought help from Helal who generously extended his helping hand to him. He purchased quality coriander seeds from Helal and cultivated the same on 10 decimals of land. He made a profit of Tk 20,000 by selling it at the rates of Tk 60 to 100 per kg in market, he further informed. Then Ebadul expanded its cultivation. He expanded his cultivable land on 50 decimals in last five years.

Now he uses over 100 decimals of land on coriander cultivation at Char Gubadia village, said Ebadul adding about Tk 1,50,000 excluding all expenses can be earned every year by its cultivation on one acre of land.

Another farmer, Abdul Gafur told The Daily Star he cultivated coriander on seven decimals of land and earned Tk 18,000 as profit. He spent Tk 3,500 on its cultivation. It can be grown on elevated fallow land in all seasons but summer is the most suitable period of its cultivation, Gafur told this correspondent.

Its cultivation does not require huge cost but it requires proper nursing, said Gafur adding excessive rainfall can be harmful.

Coriander cultivation is more profitable than other crops, disclosed Ebadul. A farmer can earn a good profit, several times higher than other crops including paddy, he further disclosed.