Spiny coriander (<i>Eryngium foetidum </i> L.) cultivation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh: Sustainable agricultural innovation by indigenous communities

Abstract

Spiny coriander (<i>Eryngium foetidum</i> L.) is a shade tolerant plant suited to climatic conditions found in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh and which is intrinsically linked to the culture and traditions of indigenous communities who live in the region. This study, carried out in two villages in the CHT, examined cultivation techniques, productivity, contribution to household income and its role in supporting resilience to climate change. The study adopted a participatory rural appraisal approach; data was collected through focus group discussions, structured interviews and field observation. Sixty five per cent of farmers in the two villages cultivate spiny coriander; the mean plot size was 0.12 ha. The cropping cycle starts in January and continues until October. Production averaged 59, 219 kg per hectare with a net benefit of about US$51,212/ha/yr. Eighty six percent of farmers who cultivate the crop do so solely for the purposes of income generation. Good market demand for the crop means that farmers obtain substantial economic benefit from its cultivation. It also has the potential to build the climate change resilience of marginal farmers. The findings suggest that policies to support the development of this crop have the potential to enhance marginal farmers’ financial capability and climate resilience.