Arum turns into cash crop for Khagrchhari farmers

Arum cultivation has brought fortune to many farmers in Khagrachhari hill district with its bumper production and high profit, thereby determining life and livelihood for those associated with the produce.  

According to Lakshmichhari Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Sohrab Hossain Bhuyan, some 48 hectares of land had been brought under arum cultivation this year in the upazila that are expected to fetch high returns.

“We arranged a training programme and carried out a campaign for the cultivation that is gaining popularity among farmers as it is more profitable than other vegetables,” he said.

“As it requires a little nursing in the hilly area, so is not the risk of arum cultivation,” he added.

Even fertiliser is not that much necessary for its growth. So, farmers in the vicinity are growing arum on a large scale because of its high financial returns.

Several types of arum including Kuri kochu, Duli kochu and Bonni kochu are being produced which have a high demand as they are tastier and more nourishing than all other vegetables.

This vegetable variety also works as a remedy for different diseases including anemia, said the upazila agriculture officer.

Sonatan Chakma in Guimarar Sindukchhari union under Khagrachhari said he has been cultivating arum over the last five years and earning a lot.

“This season I have made a profit of Tk 2 lakh investing Tk 1.45 lakh,” he pointed out.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), hilly area presents unique biophysical characteristics of land, paving the way for farming over two dozen crops particularly arum which has turned into both cash and subsistence crop for people in the hills.

The CHT districts have generally been identified as a disadvantaged region plagued by poverty, food insecurity, environmental vulnerabilities and limited livelihood opportunities.

The farming in the hilly areas received very little attention in the past when slash and burn dominated the agricultural horizon. But the increased pressure of growing population needed more food that prompted them to explore the possibilities of unlocking the potential of the lands by trying different types of crops including vegetables.

The trend has changed as vegetable production has increased remarkably in the area during the last few years.

Now 20 to 25 varieties of vegetables are available almost all the year round with arum dominating the scene. Farmers are cultivating these vegetables only to reap benefits.

Consumption of arum has also gone up during the last few years in the area.

Khagrachhari DAE Deputy Director Md Murtoza Ali said over 858 hectares of land have been brought under arum cultivation this season in the district with a production target of 11, 272 tonnes.

The cultivation of arum is gaining popularity in the district as farmers are getting fair prices for their produce. A few years back, the supply of arum was scanty but now it is found in plenty in local markets.

Encouraged by fair prices, growers are now turning to arum farming on a commercial basis, said the DAE official, adding that the soil in the region is suitable for arum cultivation.