Farmers reap rewards of high litchi prices
Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
The litchi farmers of Ishwardi are happy because of good prices after the failure of Bombay litchi yield due to severe drought this season.
Due to the adverse behavior of nature, the seasonal fruit litchi pods fell due to storms and black and rust spots on the litchi were up for the farmers.
But litchi farmers and local traders are happy as the price is twice as much as last year in the current market.
The indigenous species Mozaffar (flour litchi) litchi is already extinct.
Now the developed Bombay and China three varieties of litchi are being broken down in full swing.
Hybrid species Bombay and China Three litchis have started breaking out in gardens.
In the meantime, the wholesale price of each thousand litchi is being sold between 4 thousand and 5 thousand taka. However, due to the spotting of litchi, the farmers have suffered extreme losses.
According to the Agriculture Office, Ishwardi has 3,100 hectares of litchi plantations.
The production target has been fixed at 33 thousand 500 metric tons. Litchi is being cultivated in Chalimpur, Dashuria, Sahapur, Pakshi and Lakshikunda unions.
Among them, almost every house in Chalimpur and Sahapur Union has litchi trees and gardens.
Generally three varieties of litchi yield well in Ishwardi. These are Mozaffar or Desi litchi, Bombay and China-3. Apart from this, Kadmi, Kanthali, Bedana, China-1 and China-2 varieties of litchi are cultivated here. Mozaffar or desi litchi comes first in the market. Bombay and China-3 litchis ripen after a few days but are more valued in the market. It is also being sold at a higher price. China litchi looks similar to native litchi and is smaller in size and tasty to eat.
During the season, litchi worth around five hundred crore taka is produced in Ishwardi every year.
But adverse weather conditions have affected the yield of litchi.
As the temperature rises to 38-43.2 degrees, litchi bursts and fades due to intense heat. Litchi has black and rust spots.