Cumilla: The export of taro stems from Cumilla’s Barura Upazila is emerging as a promising source of foreign currency earnings, with shipments reaching international markets including the Middle East, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European countries.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, commercial-scale farming and streamlined supply chains have enabled the upazila to export over 80 tons of taro stems daily. This surge in exports is translating into substantial foreign currency inflows, with monthly earnings estimated between USD 250,000 and 300,000, alongside generating jobs locally.
Local taro stem farmer Abdul Matin told BSS that they no longer have to go to the market themselves. “More than fifty traders in the upazila buy thick stems at Taka 45-50 per kilogram while thin stems at Taka 25-30, which are then transported to Dhaka and Chattogram by truck in the evening,” he said. He added that agencies then purchase the selected taro stems for export abroad, while the rest are sold in local markets.
Local exporters noted the growing global demand for Bangladeshi taro stems, driven by diaspora communities and health-conscious consumers abroad. The export boom has also catalyzed employment in farming, packaging, logistics, and freight services across Barura.
Agricultural economists view this success as a model for rural export diversification, highlighting the potential of non-traditional crops to contribute meaningfully to the country’s foreign currency reserves and inclusive economic growth.
An on-site visit revealed that during the current season, taro and its stems have been cultivated on more than 100 hectares of land in Barura, including Aganagar, Bhabanipur, Khoshbash, and Shilmuri unions, creating employment for thousands in the upazila. Local small traders collect taro and stems from farmers’ homes daily.
Rising demand both at home and abroad, along with higher profit compared to production costs, has encouraged farmers to cultivate taro commercially. Once planted, it yields for nine months of the year. However, farmers claimed that middlemen take a portion of their profits, requesting authorities to create opportunities for them to sell directly to exporters.
Experts explained that scientific pest control and the region’s fertile soil contribute to the high quality of taro stems. The upazila produces over 80 tons of stems daily, valued at approximately Taka 30-32 lakh.
Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiya, Upazila Deputy-Assistant Agriculture Officer, said farmers cultivate taro stems in clean environments and use zinc in the fields, ensuring good taste and preventing throat irritation during consumption.
Several local taro stem growers confirmed that many Barura farmers are interested in cultivation due to low cost and high profit. Local cultivator Arshad Mia noted a sharp rise in demand for taro and its stems, spurring increased cultivation across the region. Farmers from neighboring upazilas and districts are now sourcing saplings from Barura to join the growing trend, with hopes for targeted government support to scale up the sector, unlock higher export volumes, and increase profit margins.
Several vegetable exporters stated that taro and stems produced in Barura are packaged in Dhaka and exported by air to at least 25 countries, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as the United States, the United Kingdom, and most European countries. Bangladesh earns at least USD 250,000 and 300,000 per month from this trade.
Sheikh Azizur Rahman, Additional Director of the District Agriculture Department, said taro and stem cultivation has seen notable expansion recently. Export demand has enabled marginal farmers to secure competitive prices for their produce, with wholesalers now procuring stems directly from the fields, significantly lowering transportation costs for growers. The Upazila and District Agriculture Offices are actively overseeing the cultivation and export process, offering technical support and advisory services to ensure quality and sustainability, said Azizur Rahman.