DOT Desk: Andrographis paniculata, locally known as “kalmegh” is being cultivated by many farmers in Tangail; and might invigorate the area’s economy, reports The Dhaka Tribune. Kalmegh is an herb of the Acanthaceae family. Kalmegh grows in waste ground and thrives in moist habitats; making Bangladesh’s weather perfect for its cultivation.
The herb is tastes bitter and has weak scent.
The whole plant can be used in the preparation of medicine, but mostly, its leaves and roots are used for medicinal purposes.
Waheed Ali, an herb trader from Gaurishar village, first introduced kalmegh to this area when he brought over some kalmegh seeds, in 1980, from Jessore.
As Ali’s kalmegh harvest has been quite significant, people of the locality started taking notice.
One can grow 15-20 maunds of kalmegh on one bigha of land, at no additional cost, and quantities of rain do not affect kalmegh plants.
The market value per maund of kalmegh plant is Tk4,000. However during its peak cultivation period, the price drops to Tk1,400 – Tk1,600.
Hurmuj Ali, a farmer from Gaurishar, stated that farmers of: Kusharia, Nolma, Garobazar, Fatiamari, Gaurishwar, and Sagardighi village regularly cultivate kalmegh and obtain a good profit margin.
Mintu Shikdar, a wholesale businessman of kalmegh from Gaurishar village talked with the reporter and said: “I collect kalmegh plants from root-level farmers.
“Merchants from Dhaka, Chittagong, and Bogra come to Ghatail and buy them from me. Last year, I sold 17 tons of kalmegh. The profit is also good quite good in this business.”
Abdur Razzak, Deputy Director of Tangail District Agriculture Extension Department said: “Kalmegh has various medicinal properties. Farmers of Modhupur and Ghatail upazila are cultivating this plant commercially. We are ready to provide all support necessary for the kalmegh farmers.”