Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Lychee, the juicy fruit of honey month, has started growing in Ishwardi, known as the capital of litchi. The litchi is falling due to continuous intense heat, so the garden owners are forced to sell the litchi before it matures. As a result, consumers are deprived of the original taste of litchi. The price of the new rise is very high. Each 100 pieces of litchi is being sold at Tk 300. However, doctors advise not to eat unripe litchi. Agriculture department says that it is advised to collect litchi after a few more days to maintain the quality of litchi.
According to the information of the Department of Agriculture, there are 3 thousand 100 hectares of litchi gardens in Ishwardi this year. In all these gardens, the indigenous Anti litchi (Mozaffar) Bombay, Chili Bombay and China-three varieties of litchi are produced. Litchi cultivation in Ishwardi is increasing as it is profitable. The litchi here is exported to almost all the districts of the country including the capital Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Barisal.
In wholesale, unripe domestic litchi has been sold at Tk 2,000-2,200 per thousand i.e. Tk 200-220 per cent. In the city market, this lychee was seen to be sold at 300 taka.
In the current season, litchi of Mozzaffar variety (desi) in Ishwardi is turning black due to lack of rain and severe heat wave. Due to adverse weather, litchi ripens with yellow and red color, and the top layer of litchi turns black. About 40-50 percent of each litchi plant has shed its buds this year due to intense heat wave and lack of rain.
Farmers say that because of adverse weather conditions, litchis have to be plucked from the trees before maturity. Lychees are bursting on the trees. However, even if the farmers incur losses in litchi cultivation, the traders are profiting.
Consumers said that the taste of litchi is also decreasing as litchi comes to the market before it is ripe. Amjad Hossain, who came to buy litchi in the market, said that new fruits have arrived in the market. If it had been on the tree for a few more days, the litchi would have been nourished and the taste would have been available.
Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex’s Dr. Abdul Baten said that hypoglycin is usually found in raw or semi-ripe litchi. It is an amino acid that causes severe nausea. This causes the patient to vomit, become unconscious and weak. Eating raw or semi-ripe litchi should be avoided. Be careful about this. At the same time awareness should be increased.
Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarkar said that to maintain the quality of litchi, farmers are advised to market litchi after a few more days. Consumers will not get the nutritional value of litchi if they eat unripe litchi. Litchi will also lose its taste. Even the litchi will not be the weight it is supposed to be.