Shibganj (Bogura) Correspondent

Cumin is one of the spices. Cumin demand in the country is about 30 to 35 thousand metric tons every year. The amount of cumin required in our country is completely dependent on imports.

Finally, with the tireless efforts of the scientists of the spices Research Center, a variety of cumin suitable for cultivation at the farmer level has been discovered in the country. The variety of cumin called Bari Jira-1 was approved by the National Seed Board in 2022. This type of cumin plant is tall and bushy. Height 40-50 cm.

The color of the leaves is dark green. Flower color is pink. The life span of this variety of cumin suitable for cultivation at farmer level is 100-110 days. This type of cumin is more fragrant than the cumin available in the market. The yield of cumin of this variety is 550-600 kg per hectare.

In Krishnapur area of Deuli Union of Shibganj Upazila, it can be seen that cumin is being cultivated on a small scale at the farmer level. Md. Saiful Islam, a farmer of Krishnapur village, said that he got 250 grams of cumin seeds through the exhibition with the help of the Agriculture Office.

I am cultivating cumin in 10th century land with that seed. In the first week of the month of November, we prepare the cumin field and sow the seeds. Now my cumin plant is blooming.

Md. Habibul Huda Shawon, a farmer of Shibganj Sadar in the upazila, said that with the help of the agriculture office, he cultivated cumin for the first time on a small scale. However, this crop has to be taken care of a little more.

Assistant Agriculture Officer Md Saifur Rahman working in Rahbal Block of Deuli Union of Upazila said, cumin is a very valuable and challenging spice crop. Since last year, we have been working to expand cumin cultivation. Cumin crops are slightly more susceptible to disease than other spice crops. For this, cumin cultivation requires intensive care. Pesticides should be sprayed as per schedule to prevent the attack of cumin disease. Every tree has blossomed. If there is no natural calamity, cumin can be collected within the next one month.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Al Mujahid Sarkar said, cumin cultivation is being done in Shibganj upazila under the project of improved varieties and technology expansion of spices. Cultivation of cumin is on a small scale this year, but we are working to increase its cultivation area in the next season by using cumin seeds produced from our implemented exhibition.