Agronomic Feasibility of Growing Chia in Bangladesh
Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a very high value medicinal plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family, native to Mexico and Guatemala. It has attracted interest in recent years because the concentration of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and fiber in seeds is significantly higher than other important grains and cereals such as rice, oats, corn, wheat and barley. In addition chia proteins lack gluten being an alternative to celiac disease and a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Chia contains omega‐3 fatty acids, antioxidants and fiber, which contribute to delay cellular aging and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Chia is currently cultivated in Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Argentina. It grows naturally in tropical and subtropical environments. It is considered to be a short-day plant and grown between the 20 and 30 latitudes. The plant characterized by low water consumption and well adapted to arid and semiarid regions. These environmental conditions create hopes to grow Chia in Bangladesh as a new crop and would be a source of income for the farmers. Today its value as crop and food is so high and their cultivation and consumption are currently takes place in 30 countries in the world. The Chia’s demand is increased up to 200 % by 2020 and its sales are expected to reach 1.2 billion dollars.
Chia seed is composed of proteins (15-25%), lipids (30-33%), fibers (18-30%), carbohydrates (26-41%), ashes (4-5%), minerals, vitamins. It contains a large number of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, tocopherol, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and flavonoids. Another advantage of chia is seed is that it does not contain gluten. The chia oil has superior quality than other oils such as soybean oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil and olive oil as it concentrates higher percentage of fatty α-linolenic acid. Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth rate from 2019 to 2025 on account of increasing product consumption in countries, such as India, China, and Japan. Moreover, rising cases of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, blood pressure, and asthma, have resulted in increased demand for healthy snacks, which, in turn, will augment the regional market growth. Ideal for use in restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, schools, hospitals, cafeterias, and many other foodservice outlets to prepare pastries, doughnuts, breads, empanadas, sandwiches, cakes, muffins, pays, among many other recipes.
Introduce Chia for its high medicinal value and providing a good source of income to farmers there is a need to evaluate its cultivation as well as to develop appropriate agronomic management practices for higher growth and yield in Bangladesh. Since the cultivation is highly dependent on the environment to express its maximum agronomic potential, studies are needed to determine the factors that really affect the Chia yield. In this context, Agronomy Division of BARI has initiated some agronomic management studies to evaluate the feasibility of Chia cultivation in Bangladesh. Chia is a short duration crop (100-120 days) grown well from November to March. Considering the worldwide demand, Chia deserves a great attention due to the universal applicability of its products and derivatives.
Introduction of Mustard in Fellow-Boro rice Cropping Pattern at Chalanbeel
Beel (Low land goes under water and remains under water about 4-5 months generally from July to November) areas covering an area of 2.43 million hectares in Bangladesh. Agricultural land use in these areas are less productive and remains fallow in most of the part of the year. The existing major cropping pattern at chalanbeel area is Fallow- Boro-Fallow. Land remains fallow in the rabi and kharif season. Fallow land can be utilized through cultivation of mustard (BARI Sarisha-14) after receding of water from the soil and it does not hamper the cultivation of Boro. Crop productivity and cropping intensity will be increased. Farmer’s income also will be increased. BARI Sarisha-14 was found suitable for chalanbeel area in Mustard-Boro cropping pattern.
Intercropping Garden Pea with Sorghum
ØAdditional 6.5-7.0 t/ha of Sweetpea could be obtained without the reduction of Sorghum yield (3.5-4.0 t/ha)
ØProductivity & profitability is higher than sole crop
ØProduces BCR 2.95 -3.25
Intercropping of Leafy vegetables with Brinjal
ØSpinach & Red amaranth could be grown successfully with Brinjal
ØProductivity & profitability is higher than sole crop
ØProduces BCR 2.7 -3.0
Cultivation of Garlic under Zero Tillage in Coastal Saline Area
ØGarlic could be grown successfully with mulch in saline soils
ØHigher yield and profit
Integrated Nutrient Management in Sweet Potato
ØApplication of Poultry manure or Vermicompost @ 3 t/ha increase yield and reduce inorganic fertilizers
ØHigher yield and profit
