Ishwardi market full of unripe litchi

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

Ishwardi’s juicy litchi is famous across the country. Every year in the last week of Baishakh, local or Mozaffar variety litchi is available in the markets of Ishwardi. This time too, the sale of local litchi has started in various markets including Shimultala, Awtapara, Dashuria and the municipal cities of the upazila. Garden owners and traders are selling these unripe litchis in the market in the hope of getting a higher price. These unripe litchis are risky for health. Every 100 litchis from two bushes are being sold for 250-300 taka. However, this time, these unripe litchis are smaller in size and sour in taste compared to other times. Buyers are also buying these unripe litchis at high prices.
On Saturday (May 17), seasonal fruit traders were seen selling local varieties of litchi at Shimultala, Awtapara, Dashuria traffic intersection, Railway Gate, Post Office intersection, Station Road in Litchi Market, Joynagar. These litchis are small in size and immature.
Akmal Hossain, a seller at Shimultala Litchi Market, said that litchi sales have started in various markets of the upazila including Shimultala Market for about a week. They are also being sold from the gardens. Now local litchis (Muzaffar) are being sold. Sales will not pick up until the Bombay and China Three varieties of litchis are in the market. It will still take 10-15 days for Bombay and China Three litchis to reach the market.
Litchi farmer Shahmat Mondal of Maniknagar village said, this time 30-40 percent of the trees in Ishwardi have borne litchi. Such a yield disaster of litchi has never been seen in the past. Bombay litchi will be available in the market in the middle of the month of Jyishta. The litchis that are now seen in the market are known as desi litchi (anti litchi). Due to the influence of the climate, the size of the litchis has not grown much this time and has not been fully nourished. Most of these litchis are not very sour and delicious. Litchi seller Panna of Ishwardi market said, I have been selling litchis for seven days. Litchis are being sold at a price of 250 to 300 taka in the market. That is why many people are buying the new fruit.
National medalist in litchi, Abdul Jalil Kitab Mandal alias Lichu Kitab said, “I have never seen such a yield disaster in my 45-year history of litchi cultivation. Local litchi has now started to appear in the market. The famous Bombay litchi here will appear in 10-15 days. In other years, the sale of local litchi is bustling at this time. This time, the yield of litchi is very low, which is why there is not much sale. Moreover, some litchi has started to appear in the markets. Which are not mature. Children can be at risk of health if they eat them in large quantities.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarkar said that due to climate change, adverse weather and pollination complications, the yield of litchi in Ishwardi is much less than before. Now, local variety (Muzaffar variety) litchi has started to appear in the market. It may take another two weeks for Bombay litchi to reach the market.