Kou-kha cultivation, means ot earning substantial income
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 13 2022: Kou-kha (arrowhead) plants, botanically known as Sagittarie sagittifolia, which has rich medicinal value but has lost its abundant availability in the state for quite some time, has now gained popularity among the masses due to its unique taste and a handful of farmers are trying their best to cater to the demands at their own level best.

At 66, Ngangom Rajen of Uyumpok Nongsum, is one among the few formers, who has been cultivating Kou-kha for the last 10 years, not only providing all necessary needs of his family but also creating employment opportunities for many people in his locality.

He has, in his capacity, done much to preserve and promote Kou-kha production in the state.

Call it sheer luck or coincidence, Kou-kha farming has become his passion and source of livelihood when his farm was flooded and his paddy plantation all ruined.

It was at that time that he saw little saplings of Kou-kha sprouting up on their own in his farm which he left unattended.

Later, after months, he harvested the Kou-kha and was able to earn around Rs 15,000.It was only after this incident that he started ploughing/harvesting Kou-kha in a bigger area of land (3 sangam) and is now a successful Kou-kha farmer.

He is able to plant 20 to 25 thousand saplings of Kou-kha in one 'sangam' of land.

The Kou-kha plantation starts in the month of month of June, the same time when paddies are planted and he plants and also sells Kou-kha saplings till mid-October.

It is in the month of November and December that Kou-kha plants are harvested.

Interacting with The People's Chronicle in this regard, Ngangom Rajen informed that it was by chance that he started Kou-kha plantation after some Kou-kha saplings started sprouting up following a flood which spoiled his paddy plantation.

"I was able to earn around Rs 15,000 from the first harvest and this encouraged me to take up the profession" .

Not only does he now produce Kou-kha, but also sells Kou-kha saplings.

"I sell one Kou-kha sapling at Rs 1 and I am able to earn substantial income out of it," he said, while adding that "a paddy plantation in 1 sangam of land can hardly fetch you 10,000 rupees.

However, in the same area of land, Kou-kha plantation will give you Rs 3 to 5 lakh per year.

Rajen further informed that he also gives employment opportunities to the people of village by giving them the job of harvesting Kou-kha from his field.

He provides an amount of Rs 50 to every other farmer who fetches 1kg of Kou-kha from his field.

Ngangom Rajen also practices intercropping in his field.

"After the Kou kha plants are harvested, I plant various vegetables in my field from which I also earn a handful amount", he said.

(This article has been written under the Media Fellowship Program in Scientific Journalism of the Public Relations and Media Management Cell, CAU Imphal.

Dr Indira Thounaojam, Information & Publicity Officer Head, PRMM Cell can be contacted at [email protected] to know more about this article and related information) .

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