SIRAJGANJ, Dec 06: Catkin (Kashful) growers of the vast char area of the mighty Jamuna river under the district are delighted over the fair price this current season.
Everyday, a good number of vendors visit different markets across the district to purchase the catkin, said grower Muslim Uddin of Kazipur upazila.
For the last few days, the market in Jamuna river basin area has been crowded with catkin buyers from very early at the morning to late at afternoon everyday. Betel leaf growers of the different districts are also seen visiting the locality in a view to buy the commodities as it is used as supportive structure at their betel leaf gardens.
"I would use the straw to make the platform of betel leaf previous year but I intense to use catkin this year as the price of straw has been increased," said betel leaf grower Samsul Islam, 34, under Pachbibi upazila of nearby Joypurhat district.
Each bundle of catkin is being sold from Tk 100 to Tk 120 at the different markets of the district. Catkin is grown on sandy char lands in between June to October and harvested from the middle of October to first week of November.
"Kashful is grown 400 to 500 bundles from each bigha of land if the weather condition remain favourable," said farmer Atikul Islam, 45, under Chouhali upazila. "I do not invest single money for producing catkin as it is grown on char lands naturally," he added.
Catkin buyer Jakir Hossain, 55, said he buys catkin from char farmers and sell it to betel leaf growers in different areas. He also makes a huge profit from the business, he added.
