The 'Hero of Kotka' will die in 2014

I saw this date palm at Kotka beach of Sundarban at first during November 2008. It was just one year after the hurricane Sidre hit the southern part of Bangladesh. The hurricane Sidre hit on 15^th  November midnight in 2007 in the coastal districts of Bangladesh - particularly Khulna and Barisal while crossing from northern Bay of Bengal. The tidal surge of 15-16 feet high and strong winds of 260 KM per hour made mass disaster for over 14 hours of strike. 

The 'Hero of Kotka' in November 2008

Amazingly, this date palm was strong enough to survive from that huge hurricane.  I was astonished to see the plant standing there like a real hero. Although there were hundreds and thousands of Sundari and other non-palm plant that were devastatingly laid down on the forest floor by the hurricane. I gave a name to this date palm - 'the Hero of Kotka'. Even the old branches of the plant were could not be removed by the hurricane Sidre.

 The 'Hero of Kotka' at its'death bed during December 2013

Last week, during mid December in 2013, we visited Kotka of Sundarban again where the date plant lived. This time it was really sad and  heartbreaking episode for me to see the date plant again. I felt, the plant is on its' death bed and ultimately it will die very soon. There were only one or two mid leafs of the plant alive.  

During the last five years, the sea has come forward toward north at least 250~300 feet. The date palm could not tolerate the saline water during the regular tidal waves from the sea. In fact, global climate has been really changed and sequentially sea level is gaining altitude continuously. In case of Bangladesh, the Bay of Bengal has advanced about 250~300 ft towards north and ultimately death is the final destination of this date palm.  

We are not sure, what are the other changes and challenges awaiting for us due to global climate change.   

Magical Green Revolution on 
Rice Production in Bangladesh 
Coming Soon, In-Sha-Allah

A local variety can make the wonderful job in rice production in Bangladesh. Since long,  the variety has been cultivated in Habiganj of Sylhet in Bangladesh. This rice variety is basically suitable for cultivation during Aman season. The production of this variety may exceed 40 mounds per bigha or 12 tons per hectare. The plant height can go beyond 6 ft which can help in production of this variety in beel, jheel, haaor and  other inundated areas in Bangladesh.

A part of the rice field can be seen; initially only one tiny rice seedling was transplanted in each hill. Now,  you will find around 80-100 tillers in one bunch.

The existing hybrid or high yielding varieties are of normally short height. But, the long and elongated growing quality of this variety can help in rearing and extension of livestock farming with its hay as roughage (or dry fodder) for nourishing the cows and buffalo at farmers premises.

Do not confuse this with a sugarcane field. This is the same rice field showing one side of the row.

As this variety grows in Aman season - therefore, it can help in releasing and make freedom of a significant portion of the rice field in Boro season for cultivation of other Rabi crop like pulses, vegetables, and oil seeds in Bangladesh.

 A six-year old kid is smiling under the six-feet tall rice plant. The photograph will help you to understand the height of these rice plants. 

Further, it can take the special advantage of free water falling from the sky during the rainy season and Bangladesh can save a significant amount of foreign currency for running the engine driven shallow irrigation tube wells all over the country. Simultaneously, the country will be saved from disturbing the natural ecological balance by over utilization of sub-surface water.   

 Can you imagine the production ? The rice variety can produce 40 mounds per bigha during Aman season, i.e. twelve tons per hectare! We are not sure, is it a natural competitor variety of Super Rice?   

Importance of Oil Palm Plantation in Bangladesh

Oil palm plantation is considered as a long term profitable investment for any country like Bangladesh whose economy is primarily based on agriculture. There are so many negative and anti-oil palm campaigns are consistently being made from the different corners of the globe without fail. However, palm oil cultivation has been increased tremendously during the last four decades in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and some other tropical countries including India. 

The soil and climatic conditions in Bangladesh is suitable for mass plantation of Oil Palm. Especially, in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachori area may be taken in the account as the most suitable places for long term agricultural investment considering the Oil Palm Plant as the best tool.

Oil Palm Plantation in the newly developed Char Lands and other Islands in the Sundarban may protect Khulna, Mongla, Saatkhira, Bagerhaat and other adjacent areas of Bangladesh from the destructive and devastating power of the cyclonic storms developed in the Bay of Bengal.

If sufficient care is taken, an Oil Palm plant can produce fruits continuously for 40-50 years. Therefore, a moderately proficient farmer can built his personal economy by starting an Oil Palm plantation only in three Bighas of land.

Ultimately, oil palm plantation - continuously by one after another farmers, will help growing a healthy economy of Bangladesh in near future, In-Sha-Allah.

In this regard a presentation has been prepared and placed at YouTube at:   http://youtu.be/YNtDGS5RZ0A

Producing Golden Oil from the Palm Fruit

During 2008, some advanced farmers started planting of palm oil tree in Bangladesh. In 2012, the plants started producing fruits in different areas including Bandarban, Thakurgaon, Tangail, Kushtia and Jessore districts of Bangladesh. Palm oil production is very profitable in comparison with other agricultural crops. However, the farmers could not produce palm oil from the palm fruit, as they did not know the technology.

Here is a method for producing edible oil from the ripen palm fruit:

1. To produce palm oil from the palm fruits people need to parboil the fruit for 30-40 minutes and separate the fruits from the stocks, sepal and thorny small sticks of the fruit bunch.

 2. After separation from the thorns, sepal and other debris, fruits are nicely cleaned, washed and again boiled for about one hour. Approximately 30-35 minutes will be OK if pressure cooker is used.

3. After the 2nd time boiling, the fruits are squeezed or mildly hammered to make a smash. Care should be taken so that the seeds inside of the fruits are not broken.  The oil-rich, fiber-mixed smash is separated from the seed. The smash is squeezed mechanically to separate the oil extract from the fiber.

4. The creamy golden raw extract is heated in aluminium made pot to expel the water. When there will be no water bubble seen in the pot, nice golden color palm oil will be appeared in the pot. Let the oil be cooled. 

5. Oil is separated, filtered and poured in glass bottle for storing and consumption.

A video is uploaded in the YouTube describing the process in Bangla for easy understanding at: http://youtu.be/_l-DrXV3oSQ

This video is dedicated to Bangladeshi palm farmers so that they can produce edible palm oil from palm fruit at their own premises.

Farmers Can Produce Liquid Gold on
Palm Trees in Bangladesh

  

In Bangladesh, some people are finding it challenging to invest their money. Some of them invested in the share market and faced a huge capital loss in their investment. However, palm oil plantation is one form of the long-term investment plan that has strong returning possibilities for sustainable individual and social growth as experienced by the Indonesian and Malaysian farmers.

Planting Oil Palm in Bangladesh is a Good Investment

The population of Bangladesh has reached almost 160 million. No doubt, the number will increase exponentially in the near future. This is a great support for the demand of Palm oil in Bangladesh. Palm oil is used in manufacturing of numerous consumable products. It is surprising how the fruits from oil palm plants can be so versatile and useful. The items derived from palm fruits are ranging from cooking oil, soap and detergents, ice cream, candles, etc.

Banning of Transfat in the USA

During January 2007, USA banned the usage of artificial trans-fat on packaged food. Earlier, soybean was treated with hydrogen to make it more solid and give the soybean oil made food a longer shelf life. The trans-fat in the hydrogenated soybean oil has been shown to cause major health risks such as cancer and coronary heart disease when consumed. Palm oil is the most suitable, good and healthy vegetable oil instead of artificial trans-fat added soybean oil.

Biodiesel to Replace Fossil Fuel

This is going to be the major push for the high demand of palm oil in the future. With the current high global crude oil prices, countries around the world are at the mercy of the petroleum oil producers. One feasible replacement for fossil fuel is producing biodiesel from palm oil. Bangladesh, as an agricultural based country oil palm plantation in small, medium and mass scale is an excellent opportunity that can lift up the economy of the country.  

You can see a Video Titled 'Oil Palm Cultivation in Bangladesh' Uploaded in YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbpMAn3BA_c