Experts stress commercial cultivation of unconventional crops in haor, hilly regions to combat malnutrition

Commercial cultivation of unconventional crops in Bangladesh's haor (wetlands) and hilly regions could help address nutritional deficiencies among the population, experts have said.

At an event in Dhaka yesterday (6 February), they proposed this idea while presenting findings on the nutritional value of 20 crops grown in these regions.

The study was conducted in the haor areas of Mohanganj, Netrokona, and the hill areas of Dighinala, Khagrachari, by non-governmental organisations Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) and ANANDO.

Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Nazim Uddin, a scientific officer at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), said the study analysed the nutritional properties of 20 underutilised or uncultivated crops—12 from the hill areas and eight from the haor regions.

"In different seasons, around 8-10 neglected and uncultivated plants are highly popular in the haor region. Among them, Kewrali and Shaplar Doga [water lily stalk] are widely consumed during the monsoon. Rich and poor alike enjoy these crops. Additionally, Shaluk [water lily root] and Panifal [water chestnut] are highly nutritious and delicious, with high-quality starch content," he said.

Dr Nazim also highlighted several plants from the hill areas, including Tit Begun (bitter eggplant), Bashkurul, Tara, Fuji, Sabrang, Jammu Kachu, Narikeli Kachu, Pila Alu, Ram Alu, and Matu Shak. These plants are known for their nutritional benefits, energy-boosting properties, and medicinal values, including remedies for jaundice and smallpox, he said.

"If these crops are commercially cultivated, they could help meet the nutritional needs of people in other regions of the country as well," he added.

Among others, Dr Md Abdul Latif, vice-chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, and Dr Munshi Rashid Ahmed, director of research at BARI, also spoke at the event.