Hemp a cash crop in Brahmaputra shoals!
Unbelievable though, they earn Tk 3,000 to Tk 4000 from each of the hemp plants, now being cultivated in vast areas. Each plant produces two to five kilograns of hemp.
It is the peak season now for hemp (hashish) harvest, which continues during January-February.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Nature blessed them this year. They are happy with a "bumper production" because of less floods.
Narcotics traders and moneylenders provide the farmers with loan and buy the product.
They collect the plants from cultivators and sell those at Tk 8000 to Tk 10000 per kilogram.
During a recent visit by this correspondent, the farmers said they earn many times more from hemp cultivation than from other traditional crops like paddy, jute and vegetables, which is also uncertain because of frequent flooding.
Cultivation of the illegal crop is more in shoal areas under Fulchari and Shaghata upazilas.
According to a local assessment, farmers of charland are expecting a production of about 3000 kilogram of finished hashish worth about Tk three crore this year.
In remote shoals, hemp is now being cultivated almost commercially as a seasonal crop allegedly under the protection of law enforcers and local influentials, sources claimed.
The plants are sown in October-November.
Law enforcers and Narcotics Control Department men rarely visit the areas due to lack of adequate transport facilities and manpower.
The main areas of cultivation are Kholabari Adorsha Gram, Shunjair, Baraikandi, Jamirer Char, Gajaria, Arendabari and Fazlupur under Fulchari upazila; and Haldia, Kumargari, Patilbari, Digholkandi, Kanaipara under Shaghata upazila.
The farmers said they are compelled to cultivate hemp because of poverty due to recurrent floods.
Many of the landless and marginal farmers said they are encouraged by local influentials and money lenders to go for this illegal production.
Local chowkiders (guards) of Union Parishads look after the crops under monthly payments from traders.
This correspondent attempted several times to talk with district Narcotics Control officials, but the office was found under lock and key.
A security guard there said the district officer normally stays at Rangpur and comes to Gaibandha to attend office.