Arum, locally known as `Latiraj Kochu’ has created a new income source for the people of Narsingdi
as it is in high demand in overseas markets.
It is already being exported from the district after meeting the local demand, sources said.
Farmers have been cultivating the vegetable in different areas of the district including of
Kachikata, Khedirpur, Char Manddaliya, Hatirdiya of Monohardi upazila, Shayednagar, Putia,
Baroterkandi, Shadarchar, Bagabo, Brahmondi, Noadia, Lampur of Shibpur upazila and Amlabo,
Charvelabo, Baroycha of Balabo upazila for long.
About 20 to 25 trucks of arum leaves and mother arum (Latiraj Kochu) are sent from the district
to Karwan Bazar, Shyam Bazar and different other kitchen markets of Dhaka and other parts of the
country everyday.
Farmers and local traders of Kundarpara arum market in Shibpur upazila demanded building of
an arum processing zone here.
In this season new farmers brought a vast tract of land under the arum cultivation as it proved
profitable. It needs less production cost then any other crop. It is the only crop that requires no
pesticide. The farmers have shown their interest in the farming as it is almost a natural calamity-free
crop. In local kitchen markets, one kg Latiraj is being sold at Tk 40 and one maund Tk 1600.
A good number of arum growers termed the cultivation profitable. They also said 6000 arum
saplings are needed for one bigha of land.
If they sell one piece of mother arum at Tk 10 they will be able to earn minimum Tk 60,000 from
one bigha of land within six months. –Our Correspondent, Narsingdi
