Photo : BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - This season for the first time, commercial cultivation of cumin has begun in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi, sparking fresh hope among local farmers. 

The scorching soil of the Barind region is now spreading the aroma of cumin.
 
Reducing import dependence, meeting domestic demand, and introducing cumin as a profitable cash crop mark a major milestone for agriculture in this region.
 
In the current season, cumin has been cultivated on a trial basis on 3 bighas, or about 1 acre, of land in Godagari upazila.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the average yield of cumin is about 110 kilograms per bigha.

Based on this, nearly 330 kilograms of cumin could be produced from one acre of land. Low production costs and labor requirements, but higher returns, are encouraging farmers to adopt this spice crop.
 
This success has come from cultivating the country's first high-yielding cumin variety, BARI Cumin-1, developed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI).

The key features of this variety include:
 
Soil: It grows well in fertile and sandy land, well-drained soil.

Duration: The crop can be harvested within just 100 to 110 days. With proper care, yields of 600-800 kilograms per hectare are possible.
 
Cumin is mainly a rabi crop, sown during November-December. Only 8-10 kilograms of seed are required per hectare.

Compared to rice or other crops, irrigation and fertilizer costs are relatively low. Moreover, due to the soaring market price of cumin, farmers are dreaming of earning substantial profits per hectare.
 
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mariyam Ahmed said, "We have been working on cumin cultivation in Godagari for the past few years. It is a highly profitable crop. Because of its low cost and labor requirements, farmers are showing interest in cumin farming. Domestic production of cumin will play an effective role in reducing import dependence, meeting national demand, and strengthening the local economy."
 
Cumin is not just a kitchen spice; it also possesses medicinal and antioxidant properties. Given that the dry climate of the Barind region is highly suitable for cumin cultivation, experts believe that Godagari could in the future become one of the country's major "spice hubs."

With government support and proper training, exporting cumin from this region abroad could also become a reality, she added.