Cassia leaf farming on rise in Panchagarh

Commercial cultivation of cassia-leaf (locally known as tejpata) is gaining popularity in Panchagarh district in recent years as the item, used as spice for adding to flavour and taste of dishes, gives good profit compared to several traditional vegetables and fruits.     

The cultivation of cassia leaf is easy and the trees continue yielding for decades.   

The growers have cultivated cassia leaf trees on 222 acres of land which was only 106 acres a year ago, said sources of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Panchagarh. 

During a recent visit to different villages in Panchagarh Sadar, Boda and Atwary upazilas of the district, this correspondent saw many people grew cassia trees in their homestead.

A good number of them made big plantations too.

Besides, the high land areas that usually remain barren or are less suitable for cultivating other traditional crops or fruits is fit for cassia leaf cultivation. 

The leaves of a tree sell twice a year in summer and winter seasons. 

"I planted 1200 cassia leaf plants on three acres of my high land in June 2013 spending Tk 2.5 lakh. After one year I sold the leaves from there at Tk 80 thousand," said Anisur Rahman, 39, of Phultala village in Panchagarh Sadar upazila.

In October 2015 he sold the leaves of the same field for Tk 5 lakh. He has already sold the leaves for winter season in advance for Tk 1.5 lakh and the trader will collect leaves within next March.  

Tk 1 lakh is enough to nurture the plantation throughout the year, Anisur said.    

Abul Baten, 58, of Shikarpur village in Boda upazila, said he planted cassia leaf saplings on three acres of land about five years ago.

This year he got Tk 6 lakh from selling leaves from his plantation and Tk 1 lakh more from selling saplings.

Depending on age, Barisali, Singapuri and local varieties are selling for Tk 100-150, Tk 70-100 and Tk 30-50 per piece.     

Abdur Rahim, 35, a cassia leaf trader of Bademuskur village in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur district, told this correspondent over cell phone that he bought the leaves of Anisur's plantation for Tk 5 lakh in October last and got profit of Tk 1.5 lakh from selling it.  

The demand of cassia leaf of Panchagarh is high in different places including capital Dhaka as it has good flavour and larger size.  

SM Ashraf Ali, deputy director of the DAE in Panchagarh, said the sandy-loamy soil of Panchagarh is ideal for cassia leaf cultivation.

"Farmers have become interested in its cultivation as they are getting good return with low production and labour cost. The optimum plantation period is June-July and it is better to plant it with a gap 10-12 feet," he said.