ZCZC
BSS-09
LITCHI-FRUIT-SETTING (with picture)
Setting Tender litchi fruits predict typical yield in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI, April 20, 2021 (BSS)- Litchi tresses here took a greenery look with its tender fruits which made the farmers and businessmen optimistic about the possibility of typical production of the mouth-watering seasonal fruit this season.
Litchi growers are passing very busy times in caring for the trees as well as the orchards as green tender litchis have grown in the region this year, turning the tree branches into greenery fresh look.
There are hundreds of litchi trees near homesteads or courtyards of villages. Varieties of litchi including high yield variety of China-3, Bombay and Madrazi varieties are being cultivated.
Talking to BSS here today, Dr Alim Uddin, principal scientific officer of Fruit Research Station, said the local varieties of litchi will start appearing in the markets within the next couple of weeks. But, the Bombay variety is expected to come to the markets by last week of next month.
He said many people are getting benefits by growing litchi as China-3 (hybrid), Bombay and Madrazi are the most popular varieties in the region.
Paba, Godagari, Charghat, Bagmara, Bagha, Puthia and Durgapur upazilas of the district are well-known for producing good quality litchis.
Dr Alim, however, mentioned that satisfactory flowering was not seen in many of the trees in the region including Ishwardi, which is famous for litchi production, during the last flowering season.
Abdur Razzaque of Kapasia village said all of his 30 litchi trees on one bigha of land bloomed in scanty this year and there are a low number of ‘guti’ (young litchi) on the branches.
He said commercial litchi farming has started at Raipara, Bulanpur, Chhotobongram and Katakhali areas of the city. Besides, litchi is also being cultivated at Baghmara, Durgapur, Puthia, Paba and Godagari upazilas of the district, he added.
Abul Hashem, a school teacher, said he has cultivated 40 litchi trees on two bighas of land last year and sold litchis worth Taka 250,000 from his orchard.
He said a five-year-old tree can produce around 100 to 150 kilograms of litchis which are equivalent to 2,000 to 6,000 pieces of fruits in number. By cultivating the fruit most of the families at Bargachhi, Bagsara, Charghat and Bagha have become economically solvent.
Local farmers said they are taking great care of their litchi plants by spraying medicines.
Hossain, however, said rainless, nor’wester, storm, hailstorm and pod-borer like insects are the major enemies and threats for the cash crop.
There are more than 100 litchi orchards in the region including its Barind tract. Apart from this, high yielding China-3, Bombay and Madrazi variety litchis are also being cultivated on homestead lands.
Additional Director of DAE Sirajul Islam said many people became self-reliant by cultivating litchi in recent years.
He said there are hundreds of litchi orchards on more than 1,000 hectares of land that produces huge yields which meet the local demand as well as being consigned to other parts of the country every year.
BSS/AH/SSS/1336 hrs