RAJSHAHI, May 25, 2019 (BSS)-Trading and marketing of litchi has reached
peak everywhere in the region involving hundreds of labourers both males and
females in harvesting, segregating and transportation of the delicious
seasonal fruit.
Market sources said harvest has been continuing in full swing with plenty
of supply, huge demand and better prices in the local markets making both the
litchi growers and traders happier this season.
Dr Alim Uddin, principal scientific officer of Fruit Research Station, told
BSS that litchi is grown well in Rajshahi and Dinajpur districts in the
country’s northwest region but the fruit of Ishwardi is very delicious and
famous across the country.
In Rajshahi, there are around 372.5 hectares of litchi orchards with
creation of new ones. He said commercial farming of some of the fruits
especially mango and litchi is gradually being enhanced in the region.
Ishwardi is now being adjudged as capital of litchi as it possesses
commercial litchi orchards on more than 3,000 hectares with around three lakh
trees. Age of two lakh trees is above 15 years. Apart from this, there are
scores of litchi trees on homesteads and adjacent areas throughout the
upazila.
Number of trees is gradually increasing here as the farming is being
adjudged as profitable, said Upazila Agriculture Officer Rawshan Jamil.
He said around 230 crore litchis were produced here this season valued at
around Taka 400 crore. He said yield of litchi has been affected to some
extent due to the scorching heat and rainless condition of the season. But in
all aspects, there will be an expected yield, he hoped.
Meanwhile, huge quantities of litchi including the aristocrat varieties are
being sold daily from the region to the country’s other parts including
capital Dhaka and its supply still remains plenty in the local markets
following bumper production.
Presently, every 100 pieces of local variety litchi are selling at rates
between Taka 200 and 230, Madrazi, Bombay and China-3 varieties at rates
between Taka 250 and 260 and aristocrat Bedana variety in between Taka 270
and 350 in the local markets. Like in the previous years, the bigger litchi
traders from Munshiganj, Dhaka and other places have already purchased the
orchards with China-3, China-4 and Bedana variety litchi and started
marketing those to the capital and other areas.