Prolonged drought affects litchi output triggering price

BSS, Rangpur :
The prolonged drought-like situation affected litchi output triggering price of the delicious juicy seasonal fruit this season as its harvest continues in full swing now everywhere in northern Bangladesh.
According to sources in the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), prolonged drought-like situation caused by climate change impacts, affected growth of the tender litchi during the month of last April despite excellent flowering earlier this season.
As a result, the harvested local, Madrazi and Bombay variety litchi are not fleshy enough and lower production triggered higher price of the fruit amid huge market demand this season, official and market sources said.
Horticulture specialist Khandaker Md Mesbahul Islam of the DAE said excellent growth of tender litchi needs frequent rains and favourable climatic condition, especially during the month of April, to become fleshier and bigger in size.
“But, growth of tender litchi suffered due to the drought-like situation throughout the month of last April in the northern districts adversely affecting production and quality of the seasonal fruit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Madrazi, Bombay and local variety litchis have now flooded the local markets though the high quality hybrid variety China-3, China-4 and Bombay litchi will start appearing after a few time, farmers, market sources and officials said.
Currently, the local variety litchi are being sold at rates between Taka 150 and 180 per every 100 pieces while the Madrazi and Bombay variety between Taka 240 and 260 as the prices are higher than the last year in the region.
Talking to BSS, litchi growers Mohammad Ali, Sita Nath Mohanta, Taher Ali, Mokbul Hossain and Abul Hossain said they are selling every 100 pieces of Madrazi and Bombay variety litchi at excellent prices now though the production is lower this time.
Farmers Abdul Hye and Afzal Hossain said they are expecting lower litchi production this time though they earned huge profits last year by selling every 100 pieces of Bedana variety litchi at Taka 800 and China-3 variety at Taka 600 from their orchards.
Deputy Director of the DAE Ali Azam and Agronomist Anarul Haque said litchi output would not be satisfactory this season following the drought-like situation that prevailed in the region in recent months.
Renowned agri-scientist and Associate Director -Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia & Africa) Dr M A Mazid blamed the adverse climatic condition to cause lower litchi production this season.
However, he predicted better future of commercial basis litchi farming that has already brought fortune to tens of hundreds of farmers and orchard owners in the northern region for repeated bumper production in recent years with excellent market price.