By Subir Kumar Sarker from Ghior, Manikganj

A field day was held at the institutional spice research plot in Begam Nagar village, Manikganj Sadar Upazila, organized by BARCIK. The event was presided over by Parul Sutradhar, a farmer from the Shatobari initiative. Members of farmer organizations from Joynagar and Manta villages also participated in the event.

Subir Kumar Sarker, Associate Program Officer of BARCIK, highlighted the objectives and goals of the field day, emphasizing the importance of locally suitable spice research. During the discussion, Beauty Begum, a farmer from Manta village, stated, “Spice cultivation can be a profitable crop for farmers’ families. Farmers can grow spices along the edges of their fields and around their crops, making production feasible in available spaces.”

The attending women farmers visited the spice research plot, observed the crops, and received direct advice on their cultivation. Namita Rani Sarker noted that the aroma of radhuni (wild celery) repels harmful insects, preventing damage to other crops. She added, “There is high demand and price for spices in the market. Spices are essential for cooking, so we need to increase spice cultivation. Additionally, spice crops are less prone to diseases.”

It is noteworthy that under the supervision of Alpana Rani Sarker, seven local spice varieties are being cultivated in the plot. These varieties include coriander, black cumin (kalijira), fenugreek (methi), moisonya, radhuni, sweet fennel (mishti saj), and jirani. Additionally, she has planted safflower (kusum flower) around the plot.

There is another things that she has been doing fine that others. She farms vegetable in an organic manners using her own made fertilizers and pesticides which she learns to make from BARCIK attending in a training arranged by the organization. She also uses her own made pesticides from neem leaves, ash and other herbal ingredients.