Farmer achieves self-reliance through taro cultivation in Khulna

Eighteen years ago Newton Mondal left his job in a jute factory and took up taro farming as an alternative for livelihood. It brought him fortune as he achieved solvency through its cultivation.

Newton, 32, a resident of Ghona Madardanga village in Dumuria upazila of Khulna district, now earns Tk 15-16 lakh per year that helps him to maintain his family well.

Talking to the correspondent, Newton said, “I used to work as a labourer in Daulatpur Popular Jute Mill 18 years back. Due to long stay amidst dust, I used to suffer from various diseases including breathing problem and cough. Then I left jute work and started cultivating taro for the first time on two kathas of land.”

At first he brought 200 saplings of from Kalanagar village in Rupsha upazila and earned amount of profit from this, he said.

After gaining profit, he decided to increase cultivation and brought 10-12 bighas of land under taro cultivation, he added.

“Once I was unable to pay the tuition fee of my daughter and failed to feed my family. Then my wife suggested me to cultivate taro. My luck has changed. Now I can feed my family as per their desire. My daughter is now in clash X and I am happy.”

This year, he planted 35,000-36,000 saplings on 10-12 bighas of land and within two months of plantation each taro has become 10-12 kg and will be harvested after six months, said the farmer.

One piece of matured taro weighs around 35 kg with 10-feet height, he said.

Each piece of taro arum is being sold at Tk 100 and small one is being sold at Tk 35, he added.

Besides, saplings and taro lobe is also getting popular in the area. One kg taro lobe is being sold at Tk 30/35, he said.

In addition to cultivating taro, he cultivated dragon fruit and papaya, said Newton.

He earns around Tk 35 lakh a year from dragon farming. Although the income from dragon fruit is high, Newton prefers to cultivate taro.

He has been cultivating arum for 19 years. In addition to changing his fortune, Newton has become popular in the district and the variety of taro cultivated by Newton is known as ‘Newtom taro’ in the area.

Insad Ibne Amin, Dumuria upazila agriculture officer, said “In fact, there is no variety called Newton taro. Newton Mondal, a successful farmer of water taro, has got good results by cultivating good varieties of taro which made him successful popular.”

“The taro is popular for it water tolerance. It grows in little water but is not damaged in plenty of water,” he said.

This year, a total of 110 hectares of land have been brought under taro cultivation in Dumuria upazila, he added.