Black cumin, locally known as “kalojira” and dubbed ‘black gold’, has brought smiles to farmers in Madaripur with a bumper harvest this season.
Cultivation exceeded the official target, with farmers expanding acreage due to strong returns and low production costs.
Department of Agricultural Extension sources said a target of 2,342 hectares was set across five upazilas this year.
Actual cultivation reached 2,404 hectares, driven by higher profitability and growing interest in spice crops.
The crop was grown on 574 hectares in Madaripur Sadar, 232 hectares in Kalkini and Dasar, 248 hectares in Rajoir, and 1,350 hectares in Shibchar.
Farmers said yields have been strong, raising hopes of significant profits at current market prices.
They expect earnings of Tk1 lakh to Tk1.5 lakh per bigha depending on yield and price stability.
Madaripur Sadar Awoj village farmer Salam Chowkidar said he cultivated black cumin on one bigha of land this year.
“The crop has done very well, and I expect around six maunds of output. If prices hold, I may earn about Tk1.18 lakh,” he said.
Kalkini Upazila East Enayetnagar village farmer Abul Kalam and Shibchar Upazila Charjanazat village farmer Rahim Peda said the current price makes the crop as valuable as ‘black gold’.
Madaripur Sadar farmer Masud Sardar said the local climate is highly suitable for black cumin cultivation.
“This year’s yield has been excellent, and I plan to double my cultivation next season,” he said.
Madaripur Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Rahima Khatun said farmers were encouraged through training to grow spice crops that offer higher returns at lower costs.
She said the region’s climate is favourable for black cumin and expressed hope it will become widely recognised as Madaripur’s ‘black gold’ in the coming years.
