Magura litchi growers happy with good yield, fair price
The litchi growers of Magura are happy with good yield and fair price of their produce.
Magura is the best litchi growing district among the six districts in Jashore region.
According to Magura Department of Agricultural Extension, in 2019-20 fiscal year 580 hectares of landwere brought under litchi cultivation while 588 hectares of land have been cultivated in 2020-21 season.
In 2019-20 season 5,730 metric tonnes of litchi worth Tk 30 crore were harvested in Magura, however, it is expected that litchi worth Tk 35 crore might be sold this year.
This correspondent visited some litchi orchard of Khalimpur village under Magura Sadar upazila.
Ronju Hossain, a litchi grower of Magura police lines area, said that he has cultivated litchi in 10 orchards this year, spending Tk 50 thousand for irrigation, fertilizer and pest control purposes. He has already sold litchi worth Tk 2 lakh.
He cultivated Bombay variety and local improved variety (LIV), which is very tasty and delicious.
Another farmer Tokon Khandakar of Khalimpur village said he has cultivated litchi in eight orchards this year. He has sold the fruits at Tk 1.60 lakh. He has spent only Tk 30 thousand for the cultivation.
He also added that the variety he cultivated became matured at least 15 days earlier than other varieties in Bangladesh for which he has got a good price.
Litchi trader Palash Hasan said he is purchasing litchi at Tk 800 to 1000 per thousand from the owners. He hoped that he will be able to sell them at Tk 1600 to 2000 per thousand.
He also said that the cost of harvesting is highthis year because of labour crisis.
Deputy Director (DD) Sushanta Kumar Pramanik of Magura DAE said Magura is famous for litchi. This district stands supreme among other six districts in Jashore region. The harvesting has not been completed yet. It will continue till the last week of May. The farmers of Magura get high price as this variety gets matured 15 days earlier than other varieties of Bangladesh.
A plant can provide litchi for 20 to 25 years at a stretch if it is taken proper care, he added.
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