RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh farmers has begun Bach cultivation with assistance from Chhattisgarh Tribal Local Health Traditions and Medicinal Plant Board.

The farmers are also cultivating rapeseed cultivation on an experimental basis in 108 acres, due to which farmers will get income ranging from Rs 80,000 to Rs 1.00 lakh per acre, said Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief of Forest Force V. Srinivas Rao. He said that there is a possibility of manifold increase in the income of farmers due to surplus production as compared to paddy.

Chief Executive Officer, Chhattisgarh Tribal, Local Health Traditions and Medicinal Plants Board J. A. C.S. Rao said that Bach (Sweet flag) is a medicinal plant, the farmers of Tumkur village of Bangalore have reduced its cultivation due to the problems faced mainly cost of labour, and availability of water for its cultivation. The villages of Pendra district situated on the border of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh mainly Khatola, Anwarpur, Tupakbora, Murali and Tendupara have learned the method its farming.

The Board assisted them with the free medicinal plants and guidance. Here, farmers of Bagbahara of Mahasamund district and Omkarbandh of Tendukona area have also started farming. Bacha is being cultivated in more than 108 acres of area in the state, Rao said.

It can be grown like a paddy crop as the sowing is done from July to September with around 30,000 plants for an acre. The crop is ready by 8-9 months and harvested between April and June. The price ranges from Rs 50-60 per kilograme which turns to around Rs 1 lakh per acre.

Generally the rhizome is cut into 4 inches pieces, dried, polished and then sold in the market. Board is assisting in marketing in the state. For replanting, around 10-15 percent plants are left based on requirement. It is then ready to be planted in 40 days.