Samuyel Hasda, from Ghior, Manikganj

Spice crops like coriander have been used since ancient times. Coriander leaves and powder enhance the flavor of cooking, and they are also rich in medicinal properties. It is hard to find someone who hasn’t tried mashed coriander leaves (bharta)!

The loamy soil of the Rabi season is particularly suitable for coriander cultivation. It yields the highest output with minimum care. Spending only 3-4 thousand taka per bigha, one can sell crops worth 25-30 thousand taka. Due to the high profit with low investment, the scope of coriander cultivation is increasing every year in Manikganj Sadar and Ghior upazila.

Coriander is cultivated in slightly elevated lands such as Manta Chok in Manikganj Sadar, Kunduria Chok, and Helachia Chok in Ghior. The silt deposited by monsoon rains increases the fertility of the land, and coriander is sown right after the Aman rice harvest. Local farmer Md. Jamshed (60) said, “Compared to before, coriander cultivation has increased significantly now. It requires less fertilizer and labor, and there are fewer diseases. We get 3-4 maunds of coriander per bigha. The profit is much higher compared to the cost. We thresh and dry all our crops in the Manta field. Having this field has greatly benefited us.”

On the other hand, farmer Namita Rani Sarkar (55) says, “This year, the coriander yield has been good. It doesn’t require much irrigation, and pest attacks are minimal. We don’t use any fertilizers or pesticides, so our soil remains healthy, and we stay healthy too.”