JHENAIDAH: Growers of Horseradish, locally known as sajina, in Jhenaidah district are delighted over both bumper production and fair price of the high value easily cultivable vegetable this season.
Horticulture wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is responsible for taking steps to help farmers expand horseradish cultivation and create awareness among them about its containing a lot of calcium, mineral and antioxidant which can prevent various diseases including Coronavirus, according to DAE, Jhenaidah sources.
Though DAE, here has no exact statistics about how many horseradish trees are there in the district, this correspondent saw a large number of trees in both urban and rural areas of six upazilas, which have led the farmers to stay in a joyous mood following its current exorbitant prices.
When this tasty and tasteful hot favourite vegetable item first appeared in the market, I bought it for Tk 400 a kg, said Selina Khatun, a primary school teacher.
With the growth of the sticks getting weightier with the passage of time, this extremely popular thing is now being here in the local kitchen markets and haats and bazaars at comparatively less prices.
Presently, horseradish is being sold dearer here ranging from Tk 80-120 per kg depending on its tenderness.
Lutafar Hossain of Dhanharia village under Jhenaidah Sadar upazila having a good number horseradish trees said, "I am very glad to get a lot of overpriced horseradish from the trees of which I do not need to take care of".
Md. Ekramul Haque of Dhopaghata area of the town said, "There have been six horseradish trees in my house yard for 30-40 years. They are very much productive and I get around Tk 15,000 from the sale of the sticks every year whereas I don't have to be careful of the trees since they grew up."
Md. Liakat Ali of Valki village under Harinakundu upazila said, his several horseradish trees died only when insects ate up and weakened them.
While visiting different areas of the district, this correspondent found that many homesteads had more than one drumstick trees growing and producing vegetables which supply this appetising item both for their family consumption and sale.
Buyers at different haats and bazaars are also seen content with the ample supply of the item.
Deputy Director (DD), DAE, Jhenaidah Md. Asgar Ali said, "In our country growing a horseradish tree in a cutting system is the popular one. If before the flowering stage, training and pruning (cutting of some branches) is done, a tree will get more food to grow drumstick in plenty. And after the flower stage, if fertiliser, especially organic fertiliser (vermicompost or rotten cowdung) is used and if necessary, irrigation is done, farmers will get a huge amount of quality drumstick."
reporter.fex@gamil.com