Bumper litchi production has brought smile on the face of farmers in 35 villages under three upazilas of the district, reports BSS. “We are very happy with the yield of litchi this year and farming of the seasonal juicy fruit has changed our a lot” some growers said. Many farmers in different villages of the district are now showing their interest to make litchi orchards in commercial basis on their land instead of cultivating jute, paddy or other crops, they said. Suitable soil, favourable climate condition and optimum prices are the reasons behind massive cultivation of the fruit in the district, an official of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said.
Some growers said they could earn about Tk 25,000 to Tk 30,000 a year by cultivating paddy or jute from one acre of land but they could earn about Tk one lakh by cultivating litchi on the same volume of land. By cultivating the fruit at least 200 families of Sadar, Lohagara and Kalia upazila have become solvent in the district. Deputy Director of DAE Aminul Haque said better yield and profit with less investment are encouraging farmers to cultivate litchi. The poor farmers, who earlier passed hard times, have improved their livelihood by cultivating litchi, he said. While visiting, BSS correspondent found many farmers are busy for collecting litchi from their litchi orchards.
Litchis- Bombai, Chaina-3, Chaina-4, and Mozzaffar varieties, grown here, are popular for its mouth-watering taste, special red colour, big size and thick pulp with smaller seed. Besides, the rest varities like Bedana, Golapi and local varities are also farming in the district. Trader from various places including Dhaka, Barishal, Faridpur, Manikganj, Gopalganj and other districts come here to buy the litchis every year.