Although ‘kochu’ is a nutritious vegetable, it is not cultivated much. However, the farmers of Barura upazila of Comilla district have created great potential in just five-six years by cultivating it commercially. ‘Kochu’ and ‘loti’ of this region are being supplied to different districts of the country and exported to more than 25 countries of the world. ‘Kochu’ is becoming more valuable day by day among the expatriates as well as foreigners.
Farmers in Barura upazila are now cultivating ‘kochu’ commercially due to its low cost, high profit and long-term yield. In the meantime, Barura has started to become ‘famous’ as the upazila of ‘kochu’. The employment of thousands of people has also been created around the cultivation of ‘kochu’ and ‘loti’. Seeing the success of farmers in this region, farmers are coming from other districts to collect saplings. Last season, about one lac ‘kochu’ saplings were sent from Barura to different districts of the country. The local agriculture department is also providing advice and assistance to increase the production and export of ‘kochu’.
According to the Department of Agriculture, ‘water kochu’ and ‘loti’ produced in Barura are being exported to at least 25 countries of the world. The highest amount is going to almost all countries in the Middle East, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. In addition, the United States, the United Kingdom, and almost all countries in Europe. Earlier, ‘loti’ and ‘kochu’ were taken by expatriates but for the last several years it has been exported through various agencies.
Local wholesalers or dealers go to the houses of the farmers every day to collect ‘kochu’ and ‘loti’ and give them to the exporters. At home, the women clean and tie these ‘loti’ and ‘kochu’. It has employed at least one thousand women.
