Drumstick tree owners smile at bumper yield

Bumper production of drumstick vegetable, locally called shajna, delights farmers of Adamdighi upazila, which is the biggest producer of the nutritious vegetable in the district.

Favourable weather, fewer natural disasters and moderate temperature made it possible to produce more shajna compared to the last few years.

Locals said people like the taste and quality of the drumsticks and the growers are hopeful of good days as demand is increasing across the country.

Nutritionist Abid Hasan of the district said drumsticks are rich in calcium, mineral salt, iron, protein, carbohydrate and some vitamins.

Drumstick is also used as a herbal medicine for treating stomach problems, high blood pressure, blood-dysentery, heart disease and other ailments, he added.

Locals said the tasty, nutritious drumsticks are sent from the district to many places across the country, including Dhaka and Chittagong. The price of the vegetable in the wholesale market is Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,200 per maund.

Shahnaj Sharmin, a college teacher in the district, said she bought a kilogram of drumstick from a vendor for Tk 80 on Friday.

Rafiqul Hasan Shujan of Santahar Yard Colony area said he had already gathered 24 maunds of drumsticks from his five trees so far, adding that a drumstick tree of medium size can produce around eight to nine maunds.

Shop owner Shyamol Kumar of Kundagram area said he planted drumsticks trees around his homestead and earned around Tk 20,000 by selling 26 maunds.

Abdul Hai Siddiki of Shariada village said he got around 28 maunds of drumsticks from six trees and made a profit of Tk 30,000, adding that many people of the area have benefitted from cultivating drumsticks.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Shahaduzzaman said the soil of the upazila is congenial for production of drumsticks.

People have started drumstick cultivation commercially, along with mango, berry, jackfruit, litchi and other fruits, he added.