MAGURA: Black cumin cultivation is gaining popularity in Magura.
Soil and weather of this district is congenial for black cumin cultivation. On the other hand, price of black cumin is high in the market. Consequently Magura farmers are showing high interest in black cumin cultivation.
According to Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Magura sources, they have brought 720 acres of land under black cumin cultivation in the district this season.
Farid uddin, a farmer of village Nalidanga under Magura sadar upazila said, "Last year I brought my one bigha land under black cumin cultivation. I sold cumin worth Tk 30 thousand while my production cost was only five thousand taka. This season I have extended my cumin cultivation to two bighas of land".
Baten Biswas, another farmer of village Tengakhali under Magura sadar upazila said, "Three years backt he number of black cumin growers in the disrict was nil in this village. But now the number of black cumin growers in the village is 12".
Dr Abdullhel Kafi, Associate Professor of Magura Medical College said, "Black cumin produces anti- oxidant in human body which is helpful to health. Moreover, black cumin strengthens our heart and kidney. Actually black cumin acts like different medicines in human body".
When contacted, Dr Moniruzzaman, senior scientific officer of Magura Regional Spice Research Center said, "We are training up the farmers and providing them with quality black cummin seeds to boost black cumin cultivation. With the expansion of back cumin cultivation a good number of farmers can attain solvency along with enhancing earning of foreign currency".