Growers disappointed as jackfruit prices fall

In spite of the bumper production of jackfruit, growers are disappointed because this seasonal delicious fruit is being sold at low prices in the markets of Jhenidah.
Growers in Jhenidah are harvesting at least 25,000 tonnes of jackfruit in the current season although the demand of the national fruit was least in the market.
The situation might discourage the farmers in nursing the plants next years, apprehended some of the farmers.
According to some of the farmers, 10 pieces of ordinary size jackfruits are being sold at Tk 400 to 450 in the market which was at least Tk 600 last year.
Large jackfruits are selling at Tk 600 to Tk 650 while, last season they were selling at Tk 800 to Tk900 in the markets of Jhenidah Sadar, Kaliganj, Kotchandpur, Mohespur, Shailkupa and Harinakundu.
Farmers were encouraged to witness the yield trend of the fruit in initial stage in the season. They thought of better prices considering the Ramadan.
But their hope was shattered as very few buyers are rushing from greater Faridpur, Pirojpur and Barisal to them who reduced the purchasing rate of the fruit.
Jamir Uddin, a jackfruit vendor from Nachhiti in Jhalakathi at a weekly fruit market in Jhenidah said the demand of the fruit was least in their respective areas leading them to reduce the price this season.
As most of the jackfruit growers are from poor and low income family, they do not have any alternative but to sell the fruit at lower prices, he added.
Sources in the Department of Agriculture Extension in Jhenidah said farmers in six upazilas of the district produced 22,400 tonnes of jackfruit on a total of 1,120 hectares of land last year.
DAE officials said they have been expanding the operation area every year. The land might be about 1,200 hectares in the current season to produce about 25,000 tonnes.
Deputy director of the DAE in Jhenidah Shah Mohammad Akramul Haque said the national fruit is very nutritious.
People consume fleshy portion of the fruit and its protein enriched seeds while its cover and other inner portions are widely used as animal feeds throughout the country.

Growers disappointed as jackfruit prices fall

In spite of the bumper production of jackfruit, growers are disappointed because this seasonal delicious fruit is being sold at low prices in the markets of Jhenidah. Growers in Jhenidah are harvesting at least 25,000 tonnes of jackfruit in the current season although the demand of the national fruit was least in the market. The situation might discourage the farmers in nursing the plants next years, apprehended some of the farmers. According to some of the farmers, 10 pieces of ordinary size jackfruits are being sold at Tk 400 to 450 in the market which was at least Tk 600 last year. Large jackfruits are selling at Tk 600 to Tk 650 while, last season they were selling at Tk 800 to Tk900 in the markets of Jhenidah Sadar, Kaliganj, Kotchandpur, Mohespur, Shailkupa and Harinakundu. Farmers were encouraged to witness the yield trend of the fruit in initial stage in the season. They thought of better prices considering the Ramadan. But their hope was shattered as very few buyers are rushing from greater Faridpur, Pirojpur and Barisal to them who reduced the purchasing rate of the fruit. Jamir Uddin, a jackfruit vendor from Nachhiti in Jhalakathi at a weekly fruit market in Jhenidah said the demand of the fruit was least in their respective areas leading them to reduce the price this season. As most of the jackfruit growers are from poor and low income family, they do not have any alternative but to sell the fruit at lower prices, he added. Sources in the Department of Agriculture Extension in Jhenidah said farmers in six upazilas of the district produced 22,400 tonnes of jackfruit on a total of 1,120 hectares of land last year. DAE officials said they have been expanding the operation area every year. The land might be about 1,200 hectares in the current season to produce about 25,000 tonnes. Deputy director of the DAE in Jhenidah Shah Mohammad Akramul Haque said the national fruit is very nutritious. People consume fleshy portion of the fruit and its protein enriched seeds while its cover and other inner portions are widely used as animal feeds throughout the country.