Bumper Litchi production in Panchagarh

Litchi, the mouth-watering delicious fruit, has arrived in the local markets in Panchagarh and farmers are delighted over this year's production as they are getting much yield beyond expectation.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said the commercial cultivation of litchi started about 10 years back here and it has been increasing every year.

Some 1,000 hectares of the land have been brought under litchi cultivation in the district this year, the officials added.

However, litchi is cultivated on around 1500 hectares of land this year, unofficial sources claimed.

There are five varieties of litchi-- local variety, China 2, 3 and 4 and Bombay-- are grown by the farmers here which are in great demand in the local markets.

Local variety litchi is being sold as a bundle of 50 pieces at Tk 90 to 100 in the local markets. Farmer Abdul Malek of Dangapara village under Debiganj upazila said: "I have sold my litchi orchard on two acres of land at Tk 0.3 million (3 lakh) to the wholesaler."

Md Samchul Huque, deputy director of the DAE, Panchagarh, said: "This year's litchi production is very good. Production will be increased in future if the farmers use balanced fertilizers in their orchard."

He, however, said that the DAE has been providing adequate necessary technical support to the growers in time.