Can Agrigate Revive Bangladesh's Sesame Farming Heritage?

Sesame, known as " Til ( ??? ) " in Bengali, has been a silent but steadfast companion of our land for centuries. Its legacy weaves through our culture and cuisine, with sesame seeds adding their unique aroma and a delicate crunch to culinary delights like " Til er bhorta ( ????? ????? )" and "Til er Naru ( ????? ???? ) " But it's not just in our kitchens that sesame has made its mark. This humble crop, with its oil-rich seeds, has illuminated our homes and graced our rituals. It symbolizes prosperity, purity, and continuity in Hindu ceremonies, echoing the enduring values of our culture. However, in recent years, its cultivation faced challenges, including farmers shifting to more profitable crops with improved irrigation facilities. However, in recent years, its cultivation faced challenges, including farmers going to more profitable crops with improved irrigation facilities.

Despite the challenges, the demand for sesame remained consistently high both within the country and abroad. Agrigate Network Limited recognized the untapped potential of sesame and embarked on a mission to rejuvenate its cultivation. One of the key strategies employed by Agrigate is the utilization of fallow lands between the maize and T. Aman cropping seasons. This approach allows for sesame cultivation without disrupting the major crops, maize, and T. Aman, and promises to significantly boost production and farmers' income.

The vision of Agrigate Network Limited extends beyond the immediate horizon, aiming to make sesame cultivation a transformative force in Bangladesh's agricultural landscape.

Collaboration with government agencies like the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has led to the development of comprehensive project proposals that will rapidly expand sesame farming, unleashing its full potential. One of the challenges faced in the sesame cultivation project is ensuring strong market connections. Agrigate is actively working on establishing these connections to provide farmers with easy access to buyers for their sesame produce. Strategic partnerships and the potential establishment of a processing centre are envisioned to guarantee that Bangladeshi sesame meets the highest global quality standards.

At the core of this project lies the empowerment of farmers, with a focus on improving their livelihoods through increased income and enhanced opportunities. By fostering a thriving sesame industry, Agrigate Network Limited aims to uplift rural communities, stimulate economic growth, and contribute to the nation's prosperity.

The initiative has garnered particular interest among farmers in Birganj, who have shown growing enthusiasm for sesame cultivation in recent years. In the Lalmonirhat region, farmers have successfully adopted the BINA Till-2 variety, yielding encouraging results. Moreover, sesame cultivated by Agrigate's contact farmers boasts exceptional nutritional value and enjoys high demand in the market. Farmers have been encouraged to utilize the fallow time between paddy and maize seasons for sesame cultivation, as it proves to be a more economically viable option. Md. Rabiul Islam, a contact farmer in the Sujalpur union of Birganj upazila, said he cultivated sesame on 1 acre of land this year.

"Sesame farming has brought prosperity to my family. Now I earn extra besides the major crop farming like Maize and T. Aman," he added. He also added that Agrigate is providing good quality inputs on credit, and provided advisory service on consultation which helped them to harvest more efficiently.

The efforts to promote sesame cultivation in Dinajpur and Lalmonirhat districts are showing promising results, indicating significant potential for farmers to substantially increase their income. By strategically integrating sesame into existing cropping patterns, Agrigate Network Limited is paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for sesame cultivation in Bangladesh. We extend heartfelt gratitude to all farmers, government agencies, and partners who have supported this initiative. With their continued support, Agrigate is confident that the Sesame Revival in Bangladesh will continue to flourish.

Unveiling the Next Chapter - Scaling Success and Uplifting More Lives

Stay tuned for the next edition as we delve deeper into the expansion plans of the "Can Agrigate Revive Bangladesh's Sesame Farming Heritage?" Discover how it aims to touch the lives of even more farmers across Bangladesh, fostering hope and prosperity in the world of agriculture. The journey continues, and the impact is bound to grow. Don't miss the exciting developments in Part 2!

Sincerely,

Agrigate Network Limited.