Litchi harvest to bring 30cr profits in Moulvibazar

With a bumper litchi harvest in Moulvibazar, local farmers are poised to make significant profits. This year, litchis worth an estimated 30 crore taka are expected to be sold, keeping both wholesale and retail markets bustling.

This year, 305 hectares were planted with litchi, yielding 47 thousand trees. Production is expected to reach 1,830 tons, with a market value of about 30 crore taka said Farhad Hossain Additional Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Extension, Moulvibazar.

Litchi farmers are now busy collecting fruit from the gardens and marketing it. Locally, there has been no major disaster affecting litchi production. Storm damage has been minimal, and farmers are pleased with this.

In a few days, litchis of other varieties from different parts of the country will also start arriving.
Currently, Bombay and local varieties of litchi are available in the market. Depending on the size and type, 100 litchis are being sold for 250 to 300 taka. In a few days, varieties such as Bedana, Jackfruit, China-3, and Bari-2 will arrive, which is expected to lower the market price. Although litchi was once grown only in certain hilly areas of the district, cultivation is now increasing sporadically throughout the district.

Humayun Kabir, a litchi farmer and owner of a garden in Burutala, Kagabola Union, Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila, said, “This year, the yield is excellent a bumper crop. I sold 76 trees from my garden to a wholesaler for 2 lakh 21 thousand taka. The wholesalers harvest the fruit themselves. I kept five trees for personal use and to share with relatives and acquaintances. The only issues we face are bats, monkeys, and squirrels. We have people to guard the garden and have arranged for electric lighting, so the area is illuminated at night as well as during the day.”

Local residents reported that from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. every day, crowds of litchi retailers gather in the Lichubagan area. Retailers come from far and wide, transporting litchis in various vehicles, including vans. Asik Mia, a seasonal fruit seller in Chaumohana, said, “I buy litchis wholesale from the Barshijura area. I sell 100 litchis for 250 to 270 taka.”