Bay Leaf Boom: Kawnia Farmers Transform Livelihoods with Lucrative Export
Bay leaf cultivation has transformed the livelihoods of farmers in Kawnia upazila, Rangpur. Once a niche crop, it's now a major export, with companies like Aarong and Meena Bazar buying locally grown bay leaves for international markets.
Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, a wholesale trader, buys 300 sacks of bay leaves weekly from Kawnia, selling them for Tk 108-112 per kg. The demand is high, with commercial companies exporting these leaves to over 20 countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The boom in bay leaf cultivation has been driven by its profitability and low maintenance. Abdur Rahman, a farmer from Bajemjakur village, noted that it requires minimal land cultivation and organic fertilizer. Md Abu Sufian from Rajib village invested Tk 30,000 in 333 bay leaf plants and has earned Tk 2,00,000 so far. Mohammad Ashraful Islam switched from rice and jute cultivation to bay leaves due to lower effort, cost, and higher profits. Almost every house in Bajemjakur, Tepamadhupur, Chaitar Mour, Rajib, and adjoining villages now has a bay leaf garden, with family members engaged in its cultivation and trading throughout the year.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) encourages bay leaf cultivation due to its medicinal properties and suitability to the region's climate. It has become a profitable alternative to traditional crops like paddy, which have low profit margins.
Bay leaf cultivation has changed the fate of local farmers in Kawnia upazila, providing a steady income and export opportunities. With continued support and demand, it's set to further boost the local economy.
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